What started as another round of sharp political exchanges between the U.S. and Russia has now turned into something far more serious.
President Donald Trump has confirmed that two American nuclear submarines have been moved closer to Russian territory — a highly symbolic and potentially dangerous shift amid growing tension.
Nuclear Submarines Repositioned After Medvedev’s Remarks
Trump made the move in direct response to aggressive statements from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council.
Trump referred to the situation as “terrible” and said that a “threat was made” — one he felt couldn’t go unanswered.
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump said plainly, “They are closer to Russia, yeah. It’s a terrible situation.”
While the U.S. already keeps several nuclear submarines on alert at all times, this repositioning was meant to send a message, loud and clear.
Trump Warns of Sanctions and Calls for a Peace Deal
During comments to reporters before heading to his New Jersey golf club, Trump explained his reasoning: “We had to do that.
A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people.”
He’s now pushing Russia to agree to a peace deal — and fast.
If there’s no resolution by the end of next week, Trump says he’ll hit countries that continue to trade with Russia with harsh “secondary sanctions.”
It’s a major warning shot not just aimed at Moscow, but at any government supporting or tolerating Russian aggression.
Medvedev Fires Back and Trump Responds on Truth Social
Medvedev didn’t hold back. He called Trump’s latest threats “a step toward war” and accused him of playing dangerous games.
His statement on social media mocked Trump’s ultimatum, comparing him to President Biden and warning that such moves could spark a broader conflict.
That clearly pushed Trump over the edge. In a series of late-night posts on Truth Social, Trump blasted Medvedev as a “failed former President” and warned him to “watch his words.”
Trump added, “He’s entering very dangerous territory.”
Staying Quiet on Putin While Turning Up the Heat
Notably, Trump’s criticism stayed focused on Medvedev rather than Vladimir Putin.
Although Trump has long claimed he could “get along” with the Russian leader, he’s recently shown growing frustration with him.
Trump shared that even after what he believed were “positive” phone calls with Putin, Russian missiles would still strike Ukrainian towns hours later.
“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,’” Trump recalled.
Russia Strikes Kyiv as the War Grinds On
The latest escalation comes in the wake of another deadly Russian assault on Kyiv.
On Thursday alone, drone strikes and missile attacks killed at least 31 people, including a 6-year-old boy, and injured more than 150.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video showing a residential building reduced to rubble, calling the attackers “Russian terrorists.”
Putin Keeps His Distance and Talks of Negotiations
In contrast to Medvedev’s aggressive rhetoric, Putin’s response to Trump’s ultimatum was more measured.
He warned against “inflated expectations” about ending the war and said any real resolution would require quiet, serious negotiations — not public threats.
Still, the Russian president didn’t suggest he was backing down.
Since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin has shown little sign of compromise, despite mounting casualties and global condemnation.
The Power Behind the Submarines
Trump’s talk of nuclear submarines wasn’t just for show. The U.S. Navy operates 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, each capable of carrying up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles.
These can be fitted with multiple nuclear warheads and have ranges exceeding 7,000 miles.
In total, the submarines could carry up to 160 warheads — each of which is far more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
By hinting at their positioning, Trump highlighted the unmatched stealth and firepower of the U.S. military.
Sanctions, Diplomacy, and a War of Words
The situation has put the U.S. on a knife’s edge between diplomacy and confrontation.
Trump has been tightening his language against Russia while threatening further sanctions not only on Moscow but on its economic partners.
Just weeks ago, the Pentagon briefly paused arms shipments to Ukraine, signaling a shift in Washington’s strategy.
Trump’s administration is trying to balance growing war fatigue at home with pressure to act firmly abroad.
What Comes Next Is Unclear — But Risk Is Growing
As the clock ticks down on Trump’s deadline for Russia to seek peace, both sides are walking a fine line.
Words, as Trump himself noted, have consequences.
Whether this back-and-forth leads to serious negotiations or a new level of escalation remains to be seen — but with nuclear weapons now in the conversation, the stakes couldn’t be higher.