A new nuclear submarine alert has been effectively triggered as President Donald Trump takes direct action in response to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s warning of “war” over Ukraine. Trump has ordered the deployment of nuclear-capable submarines to “appropriate regions,” after Medvedev’s tweet branded Trump’s sanction threats as “a step towards war,” explicitly hinting at nuclear action.
In a Truth Social post, Trump articulated his rationale, describing Medvedev’s statements as “highly provocative” and acknowledging his position as deputy chairman of Russia’s security council. He stressed the profound importance of words, stating, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences,” and expressed hope for a non-escalatory outcome.
When questioned by reporters, Trump stated, “A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we’re going to protect our people.” This action follows Medvedev’s aggressive online commentary, including a recent jab at Trump for his expedited peace deadline for Ukraine, which he wants met by August 8th.
While some security analysts view Trump’s action as primarily a rhetorical display, given the existing global readiness of U.S. nuclear submarines, it undeniably marks a heightened state of confrontation. Trump’s ongoing frustration with Vladimir Putin’s perceived lack of progress on a Ukraine ceasefire, a key campaign pledge, remains a significant factor. Meanwhile, Putin has consistently spoken of achieving a “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine but has offered no discernible willingness to concede, even as the conflict persists and reports of widespread damage in Ukrainian cities continue.