Everything we know as Trump moves nuclear submarines following Russia 'step towards war' threat
US president Donald Trump has shared his anger following 'highly provocative' comments by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, as he revealed he's deploying two nuclear submarines to the 'appropriate regions'.
Its the latest in a string of chilling threats made by prominent Russian figures, which have been fanning the flames of fears over a global conflict.
The US president had previously threatened to impose tariffs on the nation if it didn't reach a peace deal in its war with Ukraine within 50 days.
However, the POTUS' latest move was seemingly triggered by remarks made on Twitter by Medvedev, who was the Russian president from 2008 to 2012, before being ousted by Putin.
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He is known for posting controversial remarks aimed at Western countries.
The president responded on Truth Social, as he hit out at Medvedev for his remarks.
What has Russia said about Trump?
Trump previously set a deadline for the current Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war with Ukraine by 8 August. Earlier in the week he proposed a '10 or 12' day deadline, which comes after he threatened to hike up tariffs against Russia's oil exports if Putin did not bring an end to the war, or a ceasefire, in 50 days.
In response to these claims, Medvedev posted on Twitter claiming 'each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war'.
He described Trump's words as 'theatrical' and said that Russia 'didn't care' about Trump's 'ultimatum game'.
“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10,” Medvedev wrote.
“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."
“Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!” he added, making a reference to former US president Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, Putin previously 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."
Why has Trump ordered nuclear submarines?
Trump reacted to Medvedev's messages on Truth Social, revealing he had moved two nuclear submarines to the 'appropriate regions'.
He said: “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."
Trump added: "Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances".
He told reporters later on Friday: "A threat was made, and we didn't think it was appropriate. So I have to be very careful.
"I do that on the basis of safety for our people. A threat was made by a former president of Russia. And we're going to protect our people."
He previously wrote that the conflict was 'Biden's', which he insisted 'should have never happened — This is Biden’s War, not 'TRUMP’s.' I’m just here to see if I can stop it!”
The POTUS did not say whether the submarines he was referring to are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed.
He also lashed out at Medvedev, calling him 'the failed former president of Russia, who thinks he's still president' and warned him to 'watch his words' as he said 'he's entering very dangerous territory!'
Meanwhile, he also called Putin's attacks on civilian areas 'disgusting'.
What have experts said about Trump’s move?
Some experts are calling Trump's messages a 'rhetorical escalation' with Moscow, but pointed out that the US had already deployed nuclear-powered submarines.
Medvedev also warned of a 'dead hand' threat, which military experts believe is a reference to a Russian codename for its retaliatory nuclear strikes control system.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy and the Pentagon declined to comment about Trump's remarks, or to confirm if the submarines had been moved.
Daryl Kimball is the executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group, and he called the remarks 'irresponsible and inadvisable.'
"No leader or deputy leader should be threatening nuclear war, let alone in a juvenile manner on social media," he added.
Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists confirmed that the submarines have always been deployed and the actions mentioned in the president's posts are nothing new.
"The subs are always there all the time and don't need to be moved into position. He grants Medvedev a response to these crazy statements."
Meanwhile, former senior Pentagon official, Evelyn Farkas, thinks fears of war are being overplayed: "It's really signaling. It's not the beginning of some nuclear confrontation and nobody reads it as such. And I would imagine the Russians don't either."
Topics: Politics, Russia, US News, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Army
Jen Thomas