President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had ordered two nuclear submarines in the “appropriate regions” in response to recent statements made by Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
“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 wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
Why It Matters
The back-and-forth between Trump and Medvedev comes as Trump has sought to broker a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. Trump, however, has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin as Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine.
In July, Trump gave Putin a 50-day deadline to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine but has since said he would reduce that to a “lesser number” and that he is “very disappointed” in Putin as Moscow has not relented its attacks on Ukraine.
Trump and Medvedev have traded jabs this week, with the president warning he should “watch his words.”
Trump Stations Nuclear Submarines: What To Know
Trump on Friday responded to the latest remarks from Medvedev, the former president of Russia, who on Thursday made a veiled nuclear threat against the Trump administration.
“About Trump’s threats against me on his personal ‘Truth’ social media network, which he’s banned in our country,” he wrote in a Telegram post. “If some words from the former president of Russia trigger such a nervous reaction from the high-and-mighty president of the United States, then Russia is doing everything right and will continue to proceed along its own path.”
He continued: “And about India’s and Russia’s ‘dead economies’ and ‘entering very dangerous territory’ – well, let him remember his favorite movies about ‘the walking dead’, as well as how dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be.”
The “Dead Hand” remark is a reference to the Russian nuclear command system that allows it to launch its nuclear weapons if its leadership were to be taken out by a strike.
Earlier this week, Trump said he would shorten the Russian ceasefire deadline to 10 days. If that deadline is not met, he said he would begin imposing more tariffs on Moscow, which has already faced sanctions from the West over the widely condemned invasion of Ukraine.
Associated Press
Who Is Dmitry Medvedev?
Medvedev served as the Russian president from 2008 to 2012 and the prime minister from 2012 to 2020. Medvedev was once viewed as more moderate by the West. However, he has been a staunch supporter of Putin’s efforts in Ukraine and has used sharp rhetoric toward the West since the invasion began.
What People Are Saying
Trump told reporters Friday on the South Lawn of the White House before leaving for his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey: “We just have to be careful. A threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful.”
“So, I am doing this on the basis of safety of our people. A threat was made by the former president of Russia, and we will protect our people.”
President Trump on moving two nuclear submarines in response to Russia: “Well, we had to do that. We just have to be careful, and a threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate. So I have to be very careful… On the basis of safety for our people.” pic.twitter.com/AnHWQ3JLek
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) August 1, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Fox Radio this week: “Well, that’s not even a fathomable thing. I mean, understand a war between the United States and Russia is not something we can ever see. These are the two largest nuclear weapons militaries in the world, and the danger would just be too great. I don’t think there’s any doubt that from a conventional military capability the Russians could not take on the United States or frankly many of the countries in Europe, for that matter. I think they would struggle. They’ve struggled with Ukraine, who now is the largest army in Europe, but at the time of being invaded was not. I think they would struggle on a conventional front greatly.”
President Donald Trump said on Monday: “We thought we had that settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city, like Kyiv, and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever, you have bodies lying all over the street.”
Dmitry Medvedev wrote in an X post on Monday: “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… 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!”
What Happens Next?
Russia has not indicated it plans on meeting Trump’s ceasefire deadline. How Russia would respond to the submarine move remains to be seen.
Update: 8/1/25, 1:47 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update 8/1/25, 3 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update 8/1/25, 6:17 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
