President Donald Trump revealed Friday that he ordered two nuclear submarines repositioned in response to what he called “highly provocative statements” from a senior Kremlin official.
The move came after former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, issued a warning on X, writing: “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war,” The New York Post reported.
“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 posted on Truth Social. He did not disclose the submarines’ location. “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
While Trump didn’t cite a specific comment that triggered the order, he pointed reporters to Medvedev’s rhetoric in recent weeks as evidence of escalating threats.
“He was talking about nuclear,” Trump told The Post on his way out of the White House Friday. “When you talk about nuclear you have to be prepared. And we’re totally prepared.”
Trump didn’t clarify whether the subs are nuclear-armed or simply nuclear powered. The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which declined to comment.
It’s the first time Trump has raised the possibility of using nuclear force in direct response to threats from Russia’s leadership. Trump has also warned that if Moscow doesn’t halt its war on Ukraine by Aug. 8, it will face crippling secondary sanctions.
Medvedev, who has long taken a more openly hostile tone toward the U.S. than President Vladimir Putin, fired back at Trump online, writing: “Trump should remember two things — Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran,” and, “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, mocking Trump’s nickname for Joe Biden.
Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012 while Putin was temporarily term-limited, has little real power but often takes to social media to deliver unfiltered tirades. On July 15, he dismissed Trump’s sanctions threat, writing: “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
He also attacked Trump’s June 22 directive to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, writing, “At this rate, Trump can forget about the Nobel Peace Prize — not even with how rigged it has become. What a way to kick things off, Mr. President. Congratulations!”
Early Thursday morning, Trump had called Medvedev the “failed former President of Russia” and warned him to “watch his words.”
Medvedev responded just hours later: “Russia is right on everything and will continue to go its own way.”
Last month, Trump is increased the heat on Russia, warning that Moscow has just 50 days to “stop the killing” in Ukraine—or face crushing new economic penalties.
Trump said he’s prepared to impose secondary tariffs of up to 100 percent on any country that continues trading with Russia, giving the Kremlin until early September to come to the table and negotiate peace.
“They are very biting. They are very significant. And they are going to be very bad for the countries involved,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.
“They will be very, very powerful and very bad for the countries involved, and I hope we don’t have to pull that string and maybe we won’t, we’ll see,” he added.
Trump has pushed hard for a resolution to the war, personally calling Russian President Vladimir Putin and overseeing multiple U.S.-led summits with Russian officials in Istanbul and Riyadh. But the Kremlin has refused to back down.
“So far, it’s all talk and no action,” Trump said, frustrated by the pace of progress.