In a powerful demonstration of force, President Donald Trump has ordered a “flex” of nuclear-capable submarines, deploying them to “appropriate regions.” This move serves as a direct warning shot to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, whose menacing tweet characterized Trump’s Ukraine sanctions as “a step towards war” and directly alluded to nuclear readiness.
On Truth Social, Trump outlined his decision, pointing to Medvedev’s “highly provocative statements” and his influential position as deputy chairman of Russia’s security council. The President emphasized the weight of words, noting that “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences,” and expressed hope for a de-escalation of tensions.
When questioned by reporters, Trump concisely explained his reasoning: “A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we’re going to protect our people.” This action comes after Medvedev’s consistent stream of aggressive online remarks, including a recent jab at Trump for his expedited peace deadline for Ukraine, which Trump had set for early August.
While some security analysts interpret Trump’s action as more rhetorical than a novel military deployment, given the continuous global deployment of U.S. nuclear submarines, it signals a significant increase in public tensions. Trump’s ongoing frustration with Vladimir Putin’s perceived lack of progress on a Ukraine ceasefire, a core campaign promise, continues to be a driving factor. Meanwhile, Putin has reiterated his desire for “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine, yet without offering any concrete concessions, even as the conflict rages on.