Kremlin allies perceive no imminent peril from Trump's warning
In the heart of Stuttgart, the city is buzzing with excitement as the Stuttgart City Festival takes place for the first time in the old town. Meanwhile, across the globe, tensions are running high as the relocation of two US nuclear submarines near Russia has sparked a heated debate.
On August 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the submarines' relocation, citing "highly provocative statements" from Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Deputy Chair of the Security Council, as the reason. Medvedev had criticised Trump’s ultimatum demanding a ceasefire from Russia over Ukraine, warning it could escalate into war not just with Ukraine but involving the US itself.
From the Russian perspective, especially voiced by Medvedev, Trump’s ultimatum and the submarine move are seen as aggressive threats risking escalation into direct conflict. Medvedev described the ultimatum as a step toward war and cautioned against provoking Russia with such threats.
However, from a US defense and expert view, the movement of the submarines is viewed as largely symbolic rather than a significant escalation. They are seen as integral parts of existing deterrence that already targets Russia daily. The relocation is interpreted as a signaling move that Trump might be willing to escalate nuclear options if Russia does not comply, but it is seen as an unlikely and somewhat "hollow" threat in terms of actual military posture changes.
The debate in Moscow is driven by concerns that Trump’s submarine move is a provocative escalation contributing to heightened tensions and the risk of nuclear confrontation. Russian officials remain silent regarding the relocation, with the Kremlin and former President Dmitri Medvedev keeping their thoughts to themselves.
Yuri Fyodorov, a military expert, made his concerns known on the EU-produced Kremlin-critical Russian YouTube channel The Breakfast Show. He stated that if the submarines take up position off Cyprus, nuclear missiles could reach central Russia in 10 minutes, posing a significant threat.
Meanwhile, back in Stuttgart, the city festival continues unabated, with the racing reporter in the catacombs adding an unexpected twist to the day's events. In a different world, VfB Stuttgart suffered a U-21 defeat in Duisburg, with a goal scored by their own player, Herwerth. As the city enjoys the festivities, the world watches as the submarine standoff unfolds.
[1] The New York Times, "Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines to 'Appropriate Regions' in Response to Russia," August 2, 2025. [2] The Washington Post, "Analysts: US Nuclear Submarine Move Near Russia Is Symbolic, Not a Substantive Change in Military Operations," August 3, 2025.
- The heated debate between the US and Russia over the relocation of two US nuclear submarines, driven by policy-and-legislation and politics, is dominating general-news headlines worldwide.
- Despite the escalating war-and-conflicts tension between the two nations, the city of Stuttgart continues to celebrate its city festival, offering a stark contrast to the international political landscape.
