President Donald Trump has shifted his approach following threats from Russia, taking a significant action that could potentially escalate tensions between the United States and Russia.
The President is now issuing his own warnings to Russia amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine and its alleged nuclear threats.
Despite the US President’s repeated efforts, Moscow seems to have no urgency to reach a ceasefire agreement and has instead taken a mocking stance towards the US leader for his involvement in the conflict.
Trump has now disclosed the steps he has taken in retaliation to a heated exchange with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who threatened the US with a nuclear strike.
Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, reminded Trump of Moscow’s Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities, following Trump’s threat of imposing additional sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
In response, Trump described it as ‘foolish’ to threaten with nuclear weapons, making his own move to demonstrate that the US has its own arsenal ready.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “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!”
The disagreement intensified when Trump warned Russia had ’10 days’ to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face financial sanctions in the form of tariffs he planned to impose.
In response, Medvedev, who served as Russia’s leader from 2008 to 2012 and as prime minister from 2012 to 2020, accused Trump of engaging in a ‘game of ultimatums’ and issued a chilling threat on Twitter.
He wrote: “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10.”
He then advised Trump to remember two points, stating: “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!”
In typical fashion, Trump retorted with an insult, labeling Medvedev a ‘failed former president’ who should ‘watch his words’ as he is ‘entering very dangerous territory’.
Trump wrote: “Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words.
“He’s entering very dangerous territory!”
Medvedev responded: “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
While it remains unclear if Trump referred to Washington’s Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines or the nuclear-powered Los Angeles and Virginia-class fast-attack boats being moved closer to the region, two of these classes are nuclear powered.
The Ohio-class missile submarines are known to carry nuclear weapons.