Trump deploys nuclear submarines after Medvedev comments, warns of “unintended consequences”

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has ordered two nuclear-capable submarines to be deployed to unspecified regions in response to what he described as “highly provocative statements” by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, 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.”

The decision came after Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, blasted Trump for issuing ultimatums and threatening sanctions if Russia failed to move toward a peace deal in Ukraine. In a post on X, Medvedev accused Trump of “playing the ultimatum game” and warned that the former president was pushing the situation closer to direct war with the US, not just Ukraine.

“Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran,” Medvedev wrote. “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war... Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours if re-elected, has recently expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for failing to engage in meaningful ceasefire negotiations. “I go home. I tell the First Lady, ‘You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ She said, ‘Oh, really? Another city was just hit,’” Trump recounted during a recent White House event.

Putin, for his part, responded vaguely to Trump’s latest ultimatum, stating that Russia seeks a “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine that ensures security for both nations. However, he offered no indication that Russia is ready to make concessions to end the war.