U.S. Nuclear Submarines Realigned Due to Statements From Former Russian Leader Medvedev by Trump's Orders
In a move that could escalate tensions between the United States and Russia, President Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russia. This decision comes in response to "highly provocative statements" made by Russia's former president, Dmitry Medvedev.
The submarines have been moved to strategic areas, though specific locations have not been detailed. Trump has framed this repositioning as a precaution for U.S. safety and a warning to Russia following Medvedev's criticism of Trump's Ukraine conflict deadline, which Medvedev described as "a step towards war."
Medvedev, former Russian president from 2008 to 2012, is currently deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council. He has been known for his provocative and inflammatory statements since the start of the war in 2022. In response to Trump's earlier statements, he wrote that Russia will continue to go its own way and is not Israel or Iran.
Trump has stated that they need to be prepared when discussing nuclear issues and that words can lead to unintended consequences. He emphasized that this action was driven by prudence and readiness rather than immediate hostility.
However, arms control experts have criticized the move, characterizing it as potentially escalating tensions rather than calming them. They argue that such submarine movements are routine and that nuclear-armed submarines already have global reach without repositioning. They caution that Trump's decision, based on engagement with a former Russian official rather than current leadership, may be counterproductive and risk miscalculation.
As of now, no further developments related to the submarines' specific deployments or Russia's reactions have been reported. Trump, when asked about the specific regions where the submarines are being repositioned, did not offer any specifics.
This report was contributed to by Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Darlene Superville in Bridgewater, N.J.
[1] Litvinova, D., & Superville, D. (2025). US Nuclear Submarines Repositioned Near Russia Amidst Tense Relations. [News Article]. [2] Medvedev, D. (2025). Russia will continue to go its own way. [Social Media Post]. [3] Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. (2025). US Nuclear Submarine Movements: Escalating Tensions or Calming Them? [Policy Brief].
- The repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russia, initiated by President Trump, is a response to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's provoking statements about Trump's Ukraine conflict deadline, which Medvedev described as a step towards war.
- Politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news continue to shape foreign relations, as exemplified by the recent movement of U.S. nuclear submarines, a decision that arms control experts argue could escalate tensions rather than de-escalate them.
