Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the "appropriate regions" as protection and in response to comments made by the former president of Russia

Donald Trump announced that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be deployed near Russia in response to remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Trump characterized Medvedev’s comments as “foolish and inflammatory,” referencing a warning from Medvedev that Trump should keep in mind Russia’s Soviet-era nuclear capabilities.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

This escalation follows a week of rising tensions between Trump and Medvedev, sparked by Trump’s declaration on Tuesday that Russia had “10 days from today” to reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine or face a wave of new tariffs—targeting both Moscow and its energy trade partners. Russia has shown no signs of acquiescing to the deadline.

While President Vladimir Putin has stated he seeks a “lasting and stable peace,” he has offered no concrete concessions toward achieving it. Speaking to journalists on Friday, just one week before Trump’s proposed deadline of August 8, Putin said: “We need a lasting and stable peace on solid foundations that would satisfy both Russia and Ukraine, and would ensure the security of both countries.” Despite that rhetoric, Russian drone and missile strikes have continued to batter Ukraine throughout the week.

Medvedev, in turn, accused Trump on Monday of playing a “game of ultimatums” and responded to Trump’s earlier warning to “watch his words” by reminding him that Russia retains nuclear capabilities developed during the Soviet era.