Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two nuclear submarines following a stark warning from Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chair of the Russian Security Council.
The decision marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing war of words between the two leaders. Trump cited Medvedev’s recent reference to Russia’s Cold War-era ‘Dead Hand’ nuclear weapons system as a key trigger for the move.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Medvedev, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, had warned that Trump should be mindful of ‘how dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be,’ referring to an automated retaliatory system that could launch a nuclear strike if Russian leadership were incapacitated.
The exchange comes amid deepening frustration in Washington over the lack of progress in ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Trump, in his second term, has positioned himself as a global peacemaker and has previously floated his name for the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, his efforts to broker a settlement between Kyiv and Moscow have stalled. In recent months, Trump has taken a tougher stance on Russia, threatening sanctions and publicly denouncing the Kremlin’s military campaign.
The latest flare-up between Trump and Medvedev has turned increasingly personal. Earlier this week, Trump lashed out at Medvedev in a post referencing India-Russia trade, saying that, “They can take their dead economies down together.”
Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things:
1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran.
2. 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!— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) July 28, 2025
Medvedev fired back, mocking Trump’s reaction and suggesting that his remarks were having the desired effect in Washington. In a post on Telegram, he invoked the zombie apocalypse show The Walking Dead, in a veiled reference to nuclear devastation.
Medvedev dismissed Trump’s nuclear threats as ‘theatrical’ and warned that his aggressive rhetoric could alienate even his political base.
“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia,” Medvedev wrote. “He should remember two things: Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. Each new ultimatum is a threat, and a step toward war, not just with Russia, but within his own country.”