U.S. President Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved After Russian 'Provocative Statements'

Sputnik/Reuters

.S. President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has ordered the redeployment of two nuclear submarines to “the appropriate regions” in response to what he described as “highly provocative statements” made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev concerning the threat of war between the two nuclear-armed powers.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, President Trump wrote that he had decided to reposition the nuclear submarines because of “highly provocative statements” by Medvedev, noting he was now the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council.

Medvedev had earlier said that Trump’s threats to sanction Russia and a recent ultimatum were “a threat and a step towards war”.

“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,” President Trump responded. “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”

He did not specify whether he was referring to nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines.

Asked later by reporters why he ordered the submarine movement, President Trump said: “A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we’re going to protect our people.”

Earlier this week, Medvedev had attacked the U.S. President for shortening his timeline for Russia to make progress toward peace with Ukraine from 50 days down to just 10, saying that he was ready to impose sanctions and other financial penalties against Russia if it didn’t comply.

“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10,” Medvedev wrote in a post. “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!” he added, referring to the former US president Joe Biden.

The U.S. Navy and the Pentagon declined to comment about President Trump's remarks or on whether submarines had been moved. It is extremely rare for the U.S. military to discuss the deployment and location of U.S. submarines given their sensitive mission in nuclear deterrence.

The United States has a total of 14 Ohio Class nuclear-powered submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles that can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads up to 4,600 miles. Between 8 and 10 Ohio Class submarines are deployed at any one time, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative arms control group.

President Trump and Medvedev have traded taunts in recent days after Trump on Tuesday said Russia had "10 days from today" to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or be hit with tariffs.

Moscow, which has set out its own terms for peace in Ukraine, has given no indication that it will comply with President Trump's 10-day deadline of 8 August. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow hoped for more peace talks but that the momentum of the war was in its favor. He made no reference to the deadline.

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters



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