In response to highly provocative statements from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, current deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, President Donald Trump announced on 1/8 via Truth Social that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to appropriate areas as a precaution. "Words matter and can have unintended consequences," Trump wrote, adding, "I hope this is not one of those times."
Trump did not specify whether the submarines were carrying nuclear weapons or the exact location of these "appropriate areas." All US submarines are nuclear-powered, but not all are equipped with nuclear weapons.
 |
The US nuclear submarine USS Newport News arrives in Iceland on 9/7. Photo: US Navy |
The US nuclear submarine USS Newport News arrives in Iceland on 9/7. Photo: US Navy
The Pentagon has not commented on this information. The movements and routes of nuclear submarines are typically kept secret to maintain their deterrent capability.
Neither Russian officials nor Medvedev have responded. Security analysts suggest Trump's announcement isn't necessarily a military escalation, as both the US and Russia routinely deploy nuclear submarines near each other's territories as a nuclear deterrent.
The online exchange between Trump and Medvedev began on 29/7 when Trump declared that Russia had 10 days to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine or face US tariffs on Moscow and countries purchasing Russian oil.
 |
Medvedev (left) and Trump. Photo: Reuters |
Medvedev (left) and Trump. Photo: Reuters
On 31/7, after Trump cautioned him to "be careful what you say," Medvedev stated that Russia still possesses the Perimeter nuclear control system inherited from the Soviet era. This semi-automatic system is designed to ensure nuclear weapons can be launched automatically if the entire leadership is eliminated in a first strike.
In July, Trump criticized Medvedev for casually using the term "nuclear weapons" after the Russian Security Council deputy chairman condemned a US attack on Iran and stated that "certain countries" were ready to supply Tehran with nuclear warheads.
Medvedev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has made numerous aggressive statements against Kyiv and Western nations since the start of the Ukraine conflict in early 2022. Some Western diplomats believe Medvedev’s pronouncements reflect the thinking of Russia’s top policymakers.
Pham Giang (Reuters)
