U.S. President Donald Trump commands the deployment of nuclear submarines close to Russian borders, following his criticism of a perceived nuclear threat from a Putin associate.
In the latest turn of events in the ongoing war of words between President Donald Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, Trump has ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to be repositioned near Russian territory. This move comes after Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, issued a warning that Trump's shorter deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal in Ukraine could lead to war[1][2][3][4].
Medvedev's response to Trump's deadline was a rejection, accompanied by a warning that the deadline was a "step towards war." He also made an online post alluding to Trump's favorite movies about zombies and the dangerous nature of the "Dead Hand," a term referring to Russia’s nuclear retaliation system. In retaliation, Trump ordered the deployment of the two nuclear submarines near Russia and warned Medvedev to "watch his words," calling him a "failed former President of Russia" and saying he was "entering very dangerous territory"[1][3].
Trump announced these actions on his social media platform, Truth Social, framing the submarine deployment as a precaution in case Medvedev’s statements were more than just rhetoric[2][3][4]. This exchange marks another episode of nuclear brinkmanship between the two leaders, reminiscent of previous occasions when Trump used social media to signal U.S. nuclear posture changes or intentions[1].
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has stated that Ukraine has supported the U.S.'s proposal for a ceasefire. According to Zelensky, what is needed is Russia's readiness for a ceasefire[5]. However, Russia has shown no signs of complying with Trump's deadline.
Trump had initially given Putin a 50-day deadline to end the conflict, but shortened it to 10 days from July 29 due to a lack of progress on Moscow's behalf. Trump later reduced his deadline for Russia to secure a peace deal to just "10 or 12 days" (Late July 2025)[6].
In response to Trump's initial 50-day deadline, Medvedev dismissed it as a "theatrical ultimatum." Trump slammed Medvedev's words as "foolish and inflammatory" before ordering the placement of nuclear submarines near Russian territory[7].
It's unclear which nuclear submarines will be deployed, but the order follows a statement by Medvedev, who warned of drastic steps towards war with Moscow[8]. Medvedev had also criticized Trump for playing the ultimatum game in the White House's efforts towards ending the war in Ukraine[9].
In addition, Trump announced a 25% tariff on India, criticizing its defense and energy ties with Moscow (July 31, 2025)[10].
This development comes as tensions between the U.S. and Russia continue to escalate, with both leaders engaging in a series of verbal sparring and strategic maneuvers. The international community is closely watching this situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/trump-nuclear-submarines-russia/index.html [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-orders-two-nuclear-submarines-near-russia-after-medvedevs-warning-2025-08-01/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/world/europe/trump-russia-nuclear-submarines.html [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-orders-nuclear-submarines-near-russia-after-medvedev-warning/2025/08/01/8e155a3a-019c-11eb-960a-438b59435424_story.html [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58098096 [6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-gives-putin-10-days-to-end-ukraine-conflict-2025-07-29/ [7] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/politics/trump-medvedev-nuclear-submarines/index.html [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-warns-of-drastic-steps-towards-war-with-moscow-2025-07-31/ [9] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/world/europe/trump-medvedev-ukraine-war.html [10] https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-announces-25-tariff-on-india-criticizing-its-defense-energy-ties-with-russia-11627787533
- The exchange of words and actions between Trump and Medvedev, centered around the war in Ukraine, has extended to the realm of politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts, as each leader takes aggressive stances and employs strategic maneuvers.
- As the international community watches the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia closely, the ongoing war of words and deployment of nuclear submarines by Trump serves as a stark reminder of the impact these verbal sparring and strategic moves could have on the broader global landscape of politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts.
