Discussions about the war in Ukraine are unfolding amid threats and failed diplomatic initiatives, with the atmosphere between Washington and Moscow remaining Cold War-like. Specifically, yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced he would deploy two US nuclear submarines to appropriate areas, responding to posts by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who defended Moscow’s actions and warned via Telegram about the “dead hand threat,” interpreted as a reference to Russia’s automatic nuclear weapon launch system in case of attack.
Donald Trump did not clarify whether these are nuclear-powered submarines or submarines carrying nuclear weapons, and following US military confidentiality protocols, he did not specify their exact deployment locations.
Trump: “When you talk about nuclear, you have to be prepared. And we are prepared”
Shortly after, before departing from the White House, the American president was asked if he was prepared. “When you talk about nuclear, you have to be prepared. And we are prepared,” he replied tersely. “There was a threat, and we didn’t consider it appropriate. I have to be very careful. I’m doing this with our people’s safety in mind. A threat came from a former Russian president. And we will protect our people,” he added.
💥⚡BREAKING: Trump stated that the U.S. is fully prepared for a nuclear war with Russia pic.twitter.com/xiTgUUTOYK
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 2, 2025
The nuclear submarine announcement was made via Truth Social platform. “Based on the extremely provocative statements by Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in appropriate areas,” he wrote. He then stated his decision was made “in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are not just words. Words carry great significance and often lead to unpredictable consequences. I hope this won’t be such a case.”
Personal attacks escalate the confrontation
The confrontation between the two men has escalated in recent days, with social media becoming the battleground. Trump had already called Medvedev a “failed former president who thinks he’s still in power” and warned him to “watch his words” because he’s “entering very dangerous territory.” Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008-2012, argued this week that Trump is “playing the ultimatum game with Russia.” In a post on X, he noted: “Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war.” Earlier in July, he had characterized Trump’s ultimatum as “theatrical,” saying “Russia doesn’t give a damn.”
Putin’s indirect response – “All disappointments come from excessive expectations”
Officially, the Kremlin has not commented on Donald Trump’s moves. However, immediately after his post, the Russian stock market recorded new losses. Meanwhile, the new ultimatum to Vladimir Putin is “running,” demanding he stop the war in Ukraine by August 8th. Earlier this week, he had given a deadline of “10 or 12 days,” while in early July he had threatened Russia with serious tariffs on oil and other exports if it didn’t stop the war within 50 days. Following his preferred habit, Vladimir Putin avoided responding directly to the new ultimatum. He limited himself to saying he desires a “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine, without leaving room for concessions, while Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities continue.
“We need a lasting and stable peace, on solid foundations, that satisfies both Russia and Ukraine, and ensures the security of both countries,” Putin said yesterday, Friday, one week before the new ultimatum expires, while he left no opening to suggest he’s willing to make concessions that could lead to agreement. Instead, he continued the rhetoric about “compromise” under terms that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected as unacceptable. The Russian president also made a statement considered an indirect reference to Trump’s comments, without naming him. “All disappointments come from excessive expectations. This is a generally known rule,” he said meaningfully.
