Topline
After trading barbs online with former Russian leader Dmitri A. Medvedev, President Donald Trump has ordered nuclear submarines to be positioned in “the appropriate regions” near Russia “just in case.”
President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House on July 14, 2025.
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Key Facts
Trump on Friday announced the movement of the submarines on Truth Social after sparring online for several days with Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, who he called a “failed former President of Russia.”
Medvedev on Monday accused Trump of “playing the ultimatum game” after Trump said he was shortening a 50-day deadline he set for Russia to end its war in Ukraine or be hit with secondary tariffs.
Medvedev said “each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war,” and Trump responded by telling Medvedev to “watch his words,” warning he was “entering very dangerous territory.”
The Russian official then, on Thursday, responded to Trump’s “threats” by saying he should remember “how dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be,” a reference to Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort.
In response, Trump on Friday said he’d ordered the movement of the submarines “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.”
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Key Background
Trump in July said that Russia had 50 days to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or risk being hit with sanctions. Medvedev at the time said that Russia “didn’t care” about the threats. On Monday, Trump shortened that deadline, and said he would give Russia 10 to 12 days to end the war before imposing “sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs,” meaning he would impose tariffs on countries that trade with Russia. The U.S. and Russia “do almost no business together,” per Trump. One day later, the president told reporters he wasn’t sure such sanctions would make a difference or influence Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying “I don’t know if it’s going to affect Russia, because he wants to, obviously, probably keep the war going. But we’re going to put on tariffs and the various things you put on. It may or may not affect them. But it could.” Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said Tuesday that the Kremlin “took note” of the new deadline, but Putin has otherwise shown no indication it will impact his moves in Ukraine.
Tangent
In his inauguration speech, Trump said he would be a “peacemaker and a unifier” and promised speedy ends to both the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Trump’s views on the latter have flip- flopped since he took office. He first suggested he would be able to end the conflict by appealing to Putin and striking a deal, and accused Ukraine of starting the war. He publicly clashed with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office in February, accusing Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” and not being grateful enough for the support of the United States. Since then, he has praised Ukraine for its courage and said he would assist in the fight against Russia. Trump has repeatedly threatened to punish Russia for its continued attacks in Ukraine but hasn’t followed through. Several weeks ago, Trump said he would help Europe send more weapons to Ukraine and set the 50-day deadline.
Further Reading
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/08/01/trump-orders-nuclear-submarines-moved-in-response-to-threats-from-former-russian-president/