Donald Trump has revealed that two US nuclear submarines are now positioned "closer to Russia" following a tense exchange with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
The submarines were initially said to be deployed to "appropriate regions" in what was widely seen as a symbolic gesture. The US already has a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines capable of launching strikes at short notice.
But in an interview with Newsmax, Trump confirmed their position had changed. “They are closer to Russia yeah, it’s a terrible situation,” he said.
Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House for his New Jersey golf club on Friday, Trump said: “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.
“A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people.”
The move escalates tensions between Washington and Moscow, after Trump earlier this week issued a 10-day ultimatum for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face new sanctions.
If Russia fails to strike a peace deal by the end of next week, Trump has vowed to impose secondary sanctions on any countries that continue to trade with Moscow. The decision to move the submarines followed what Trump described as “highly provocative statements” from Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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.
“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!”
Medvedev had earlier called Trump’s threats “a step toward war,” which appeared to enrage the president. In response, Trump wrote: “Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory.”
Medvedev had also posted: “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia… 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!”
Trump’s clash with Medvedev marks a departure from his usual focus on Vladimir Putin, with whom he has had a complicated relationship. In recent weeks, Trump has shown frustration with the Russian leader, complaining that apparently cordial calls have been followed by deadly attacks on Ukraine.
Trump told reporters last month: “I go home, I tell the first lady, ‘You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ And she said, ‘Oh really? Another city was just hit.’”
The United States has 14 Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles. These missiles can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads with a range of up to 4,600 miles. Between eight and ten of the submarines are typically deployed at any one time, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative.
Each Trident II missile can be fitted with up to eight nuclear warheads, with a single warhead capable of a 475-kiloton explosion — many times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
Trump’s threat came after Russia launched another devastating drone and missile attack on Kyiv, killing at least 31 people and injuring 150, including a six-year-old boy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of the damage, writing: “Kyiv. Missile strike. Directly into a residential building. People under the rubble. All services are on site. Russian terrorists.”
Meanwhile, in his first public response to Trump’s ultimatum, President Putin dismissed the likelihood of a swift resolution.
“All disappointments come from inflated expectations,” Putin said. “In order to solve the issue in a peaceful way, we need deep conversations, not in public, but in the silence of a negotiating process.”
