Donald Trump announces nuclear submarine deployment in response to Russian official Dmitry Medvedev’s nuclear warnings, intensifying US-Russia tensions (AFP)
This Friday, in a further escalation of already tense relations, former President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the diversion of two nuclear submarines amid the provocation of a statement released by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev. This official statement marks a shift from verbal confrontations to tangible military posturing and highlights the growing friction between the nuclear giants against an ongoing war in Ukraine.
Citing "provocative" comments made by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev, US President Donald Trump stated Friday that he has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines, marking a dramatic escalation of relations with Russia.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social site, adding Medvedev's extremely incendiary remarks to the list that justified the apparent increase in nuclear activity. "Based on the highly provocative statements, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory remarks are more than just that," he said. Trump also emphasized that he hoped such words would not turn into actions, as they could lead to unintended consequences, and hoped the situation would not escalate. Normally, military deployments of this nature are confidential, but Trump's publicness suggests how serious he considers this evolving dispute.
An exchange of social media posts with Dmitry Medvedev, who is Russia's deputy chairman of the Security Council and a former president, appears to be the immediate impetus for Trump's rash decision. The latest Telegram post from Medvedev referred to the Dead Hand and declared it was ready to escalate nuclear threats depending on provocation. Trump's response was "When you mention the word nuclear... my eyes light up. And I say, we better be careful, because it’s the ultimate threat." He confirmed the submarines were actually positioned closer to Russia, readied and deterring against any actual aggressive moves.
Medvedev, who served as president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, has become one of the Kremlin's most outspoken online personalities in recent years, often endorsing ultra-nationalist viewpoints. Analysts point out that he has little genuine policy influence.
Medvedev was responding to Trump, who had considered the economies of Russia and India as dead and was immediately followed by Medvedev as dangerous games with a reminder of the awesome military strength of Russia. Such analysts point out that Medvedev's fiery rhetoric fuels nationalist sentiments but does not give him much influence over the Kremlin's real policies.
More frightening developments include a recent announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the mass production of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which can be effectively made nuclear capable, set for deployment in Belarus shortly. The overall scenario remains deadly in Ukraine but with some recent missile strikes that have killed civilians in Kyiv, increasing internal calls for peace talks. Together, the United States and Russia control about 90 percent of the entire world's nuclear weapons, making such a standoff particularly unstable.
"Our demands are unchanged," Putin added, restating his long-standing calls for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. He was discussing Moscow's long-standing demand that Kyiv give up its aspirations to join NATO and give up disputed land.
Russia's offensive in Ukraine is still going on in spite of US pressure. 31 people, including five children, were murdered in a missile and drone strike on Kyiv on Thursday, sparking a day of mourning in the Ukrainian capital. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, reiterated his need for direct communication with Putin.
This is what the US has suggested. Ukraine has backed it. Russia's preparedness is what is required," Zelensky stated on X.
Together, the US and Russia possess almost 90% of the nuclear weapons in the world. The United States has nuclear-armed submarines on constant patrol and maintains a triad of air, sea, and land-based systems.
In such pressure, the naval deployments of Trump signify a military readiness to follow up the bluster with action, throwing completely into relief just how fragile peace between the two superpowers actually is.
