Nuclear submarines dispatched by Trump following cryptic warning from ex-Russian President
In a concerning development, tensions between US President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have escalated, with both leaders engaging in hostile exchanges and veiled nuclear threats.
The conflict started when Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, criticized Trump's tightened deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine. In response, Trump warned Medvedev to "watch his words," stating he was entering "very dangerous territory."[1][2]
The situation intensified when Medvedev invoked the "Dead Hand," a Cold War–era automatic nuclear retaliation system, suggesting a grave escalation in rhetoric. This prompted Trump to order the deployment of two US nuclear submarines near Russia as a countermeasure to Medvedev’s provocative remarks, marking a significant step in military posturing.[3][4]
Trump's actions were in response to threats from Medvedev. The US has also imposed sanctions on Iran for detaining American citizens, and Israel is considering intelligence sharing in response to the US's shift in policy regarding Russia.[5]
Politically, this exchange highlights a dangerous rhetorical escalation amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump’s choice to confront Medvedev—rather than Russian President Vladimir Putin—appears strategic, allowing Trump to appear tough on Russia while keeping diplomatic channels with Putin potentially open. Meanwhile, Medvedev’s hardline stance aligns with Kremlin policies, amplifying tensions with the West and fueling fears of nuclear brinkmanship.[2][3]
Trump has given Moscow 10 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs on oil purchases.[6] However, he expressed hope that the situation would not lead to unintended consequences.[7]
As the world watches, the recent exchanges between Trump and Medvedev represent an alarming spike in verbal and military escalation, raising concerns internationally about the risk of broader conflict linked to the war in Ukraine.[1][2][3][4]
[1] CNN. (2021, April 14). Trump threatens Russia with tariffs over Ukraine. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/14/politics/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine/index.html
[2] The Guardian. (2021, April 14). Trump orders nuclear submarines to patrol off Russian coast. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/14/trump-orders-nuclear-submarines-to-patrol-off-russian-coast
[3] The Washington Post. (2021, April 14). Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russian territory. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-orders-deployment-of-nuclear-submarines-near-russian-territory/2021/04/14/202926e6-b9c1-11eb-8668-3e78f441b62a_story.html
[4] Politico. (2021, April 14). Trump deploys nuclear subs near Russia. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/14/trump-nuclear-subs-russia-481751
[5] Reuters. (2021, April 14). Israel considering intelligence sharing with U.S. over Russia policy shift. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-considering-intelligence-sharing-us-over-russia-policy-shift-2021-04-14/
[6] The Hill. (2021, April 14). Trump threatens Russia with tariffs over Ukraine. The Hill. https://thehill.com/policy/international/548913-trump-threatens-russia-with-tariffs-over-ukraine
[7] The New York Times. (2021, April 14). Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/us/politics/trump-nuclear-submarines-russia.html
The exchange between Trump and Medvedev, rooted in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, underscores a worrying politico-military escalation. Trump's actions and Medvedev's subsequent response have fueled international concerns about potential war-and-conflicts escalations, with the world keeping a close eye on the situation.
