Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited international debate after claiming on social media that he ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned “in the appropriate regions” near Russia.
According to Trump, the move was a direct response to online threats made by Dmitri Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Medvedev, known for his aggressive tone, had previously compared the threat of nuclear war to scenes from The Walking Dead and referenced the Soviet-era “dead hand” nuclear response system.
In his response, Trump emphasized the importance of vigilance and the need to protect American lives.
Despite the dramatic post, it remains unclear whether any U.S. submarines were actually moved. Nuclear submarine operations are typically classified, and the Pentagon has not confirmed any such repositioning.
This marks Trump’s most explicit public mention of U.S. nuclear capabilities since returning to office, suggesting a tougher approach toward Moscow.
Just a month ago, Trump had given Russia a 50-day deadline to begin peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. That window was drastically reduced to 10–12 days after a deadly missile attack on Kyiv claimed over 30 civilian lives.
In addition to military posturing, Trump has escalated economic pressure by imposing new sanctions on countries continuing to import Russian oil, including China, India, and Turkey.
Though Trump once advocated direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his recent actions signal a significant shift in strategy.
When asked on Friday before departing for his Bedminster resort why he issued the submarine order, he stated:
“A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people. We just have to be careful.”
Military analysts have raised doubts about the necessity of such a move, pointing out that U.S. nuclear-armed submarines are already deployed strategically around the globe. Nonetheless, the Pentagon declined to confirm or deny any recent deployments, referring all inquiries to the White House.
His comments have sparked renewed concerns over escalating nuclear tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
