Trump Sends Nuclear Subs Closer to Russia Border/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines repositioned in response to threats from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. The move follows escalating rhetoric online, including nuclear posturing and personal insults. Trump warned of unintended consequences and said the action ensures safety for Americans.
Trump Moves Nuclear Subs – Quick Looks
- President Trump reacted to Dmitry Medvedev’s nuclear rhetoric.
- Ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines repositioned “closer to Russia.”
- Medvedev warned Trump’s threats could trigger war.
- Trump cited “safety for our people” in the move.
- The repositioning comes as Trump demands a Ukraine ceasefire.
- Trump cut Russia’s deadline for compliance from 50 to 10 days.
- Medvedev is known for inflammatory pro-war statements.
- Submarine movements’ strategic details remain undisclosed.
Trump Sends Nuclear Subs Closer to Russia Border
Deep Look
In a sharp escalation of geopolitical tensions, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has ordered the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines in response to inflammatory remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The decision comes amid increased online rhetoric between Trump and Medvedev, centering on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the broader U.S.-Russia standoff.
The announcement was first made via Trump’s social media platform, where he cited “highly provocative statements” by Medvedev, suggesting they posed a credible threat. “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions,” Trump wrote, “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”
He continued by emphasizing the weight of such rhetoric, warning, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Though routine submarine patrols already place American nuclear assets near global hotspots, the specific mention and public disclosure of their repositioning is a rare move, likely meant to send a deliberate signal to Moscow. Trump confirmed later in an interview with Newsmax that the submarines are being moved “closer to Russia,” but declined to provide precise details, citing national security concerns.
“He’s got a fresh mouth,” Trump said of Medvedev during the same interview. “When you talk about nuclear, we have to be prepared—and we’re totally prepared.”
Medvedev, who served as president of Russia from 2008 to 2012 while Vladimir Putin stepped aside due to term limits, now acts as deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he has gained notoriety for his increasingly hardline and militaristic social media posts. This marks a drastic shift from his earlier political persona as a reform-minded moderate.
The war of words escalated earlier in the week when Trump posted in the early hours of Thursday morning, referring to Medvedev as a “failed former President of Russia” and advising him to “watch his words.” Medvedev shot back within hours, proclaiming, “Russia is right on everything and will continue to go its own way.”
In an earlier comment, Medvedev mocked Trump’s recent ultimatum to Moscow, writing: “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10.” He further warned, “He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”
These statements appear to have triggered Trump’s rapid reduction of his ceasefire deadline—from 50 days to just 10. With that new timeframe set to expire next week, Trump has dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow, tasked with pressuring the Kremlin toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump has warned that if no progress is made, sweeping new sanctions against Russia will follow.
Asked by reporters Friday evening, as he left the White House for his New Jersey estate, where exactly the subs were headed, Trump demurred.
“We had to do that. We just have to be careful,” he said. “A threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful.”
The repositioning marks a flashpoint in already strained U.S.-Russia relations under Trump’s second term. Analysts suggest that while Medvedev’s threats may not reflect official Russian policy, they could be intended to test Trump’s resolve—or even curry favor with hardliners within Russia’s political and military elite.
In a particularly biting post last month, Medvedev reacted to Trump’s decision to supply additional NATO weapons to Ukraine by stating:
“Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
While Medvedev’s increasingly hawkish persona contrasts with his earlier, more moderate image, Trump’s response—deploying nuclear assets—signals a potential hard turn in American deterrence strategy. Whether the move calms tensions or escalates them remains to be seen.
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