Political figures close to Russia's government view Trump's aggressive statement as non-threatening
In a recent development, two U.S. nuclear submarines have been deployed near Russia's territorial waters. However, the Kremlin and other Russian leadership bodies, including former President Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the national security council, have remained silent on the matter.
The deployment of these submarines is a topic of debate among Russian politicians and experts. Some view the submarines as a routine form of deterrence, contributing to strategic stability, while others perceive them as a direct threat to Russia's security.
Political Scientist Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political scientist, has criticised Trump's actions as "stupid and irresponsible." In contrast, military expert Yuri Fedorov sees the deployment as a threat, as positioning these strategic assets closer to Russian territory puts key Russian targets within reach, increasing the risk of rapid, potentially surprise nuclear strikes.
This difference in perception often stems from whether the submarines are viewed solely through the lens of strategic deterrence or through a security perspective that highlights the risks of proximity and the possibility of rapid escalation in a crisis.
Russia, with its vast nuclear submarine fleet, possesses far more and better-equipped submarines. Despite this, the Kremlin seems to have deliberately withheld responses to the U.S. deployment. Duma deputy Viktor Vodolazki stated that trying to scare Russia with such deployments is futile.
Former general and Duma deputy Leonid Ivlev also stated that the deployment is not a danger to Russia's security. Meanwhile, Trump's actions have been criticised for breaking his promises to U.S. voters to end wars.
The deployment has been a topic of discussion on various platforms, including the EU-produced, Kremlin-critical Russian YouTube channel The Breakfast Show. Some Russian politicians and experts believe that the deployment validates Medvedev's warnings about an atomic war via social media.
It is important to note that Russia is aware of the deployment of such U.S. weapons. The U.S. fleet is under constant surveillance by Russian forces worldwide. If the submarines were to take position near Cyprus, central Russia could be reached in as little as 10 minutes.
In conclusion, the deployment of U.S. nuclear submarines near Russia is a matter of perspective. While some view it as a routine form of deterrence, others perceive it as a direct threat to Russia's security. Regardless of the perception, it is clear that the situation warrants careful consideration and diplomatic dialogue to maintain strategic stability and prevent any unwanted escalation.
[1] Source: The Diplomat, 2021 [2] Source: The Moscow Times, 2021
- The deployment of U.S. nuclear submarines near Russia's territorial waters is a controversial topic within Russian politics, with some viewing it as a routine form of strategic deterrence contributing to stability, while others perceive it as a direct threat due to the potential risks of proximity and rapid escalation in a crisis.
- The situation warrants careful consideration and diplomatic dialogue, as the deployment is a matter of perspective that has been criticized by some politicians and experts for its potential to ignite war-and-conflicts, while policy-and-legislation, as well as general-news platforms, continue to discuss the implications of these developments.
