In 2017, Russian President Putin (left) and U.S. President Trump spoke during a bilateral meeting at the Hamburg G20 summit (Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the redeployment of two American nuclear submarines to "appropriate areas" relative to Russia, as he became frustrated with peace talks aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine stalling.

On Friday, Trump had a heated argument with Moscow military leaders, including former president Dmitry Medvedev.

The day before, Trump had issued an ultimatum to Russia: if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire by next Friday, August 8, he would implement a package of economic sanctions.

The next day, Medvedev posted on social media that Trump's threats were "a step towards war." He wrote that Trump was "playing a last-ditch game with Russia."

Trump responded on the "Truth Social" platform, stating, "Words are very important and often lead to unexpected consequences, I hope this is not one of them."

What did Trump do?

On Friday, Trump wrote on his "Truth Social" platform that he had ordered the redeployment of two American "nuclear submarines" to "appropriate areas."

Trump cited the remarks of Russian former president and current member of the Security Council, Medvedev, whom he considered threatening. He called Medvedev's comments "highly provocative" and added that his actions were merely a precaution.

Trump wrote, "I have ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to appropriate areas, just in case these foolish and inciting remarks don't stop here."

Trump had promised to end Russia's war in Ukraine within 24 hours during his presidential campaign; however, several subsequent meetings with Russian President Putin yielded no results.

On April 26, 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Trump at the Vatican during the funeral of Pope Francis (Reuters)

What do we know about the submarines Trump said he will redeploy?

We know little – and we also don't know which submarines Trump is referring to. Trump didn't specify whether he ordered the redeployment of submarines powered by nuclear engines or those carrying nuclear missiles.

According to U.S. military protocols, Trump also didn't reveal the location of the submarines.

However, Trump's statement has so far been seen as a verbal threat rather than a military one, as security analysts point out that the U.S. already has nuclear-powered submarines capable of striking Russia, serving as a deterrent.

What prompted Trump to deploy the submarines?

He was mainly frustrated by the lack of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. But this time, the clash with Medvedev on social media seems to have prompted him to take action.

For some time now, Trump and Russian military leaders have been attacking each other on social media platforms.

Previously, regarding Trump's new deadline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Medvedev posted on X that Trump was playing a "last-ditch game" with Russia.

"Each new ultimatum is a threat, a step towards war. Not a war between Russia and Ukraine, but a war with his own country. Don't follow the old path of 'Sleepy Joe'!" Medvedev had said.

Earlier this week, Trump stated that he didn't care if India and Russia "together bring their already struggling economies to ruin" while announcing trade tariffs on India and additional penalties for purchasing Russian oil.

On Thursday, Medvedev posted on Telegram that Trump should "revisit his favorite movies about the living dead and recall how dangerous the mythological 'Dead Hand' was."

Russia's "Dead Hand system" is an automatic nuclear retaliation mechanism from the Cold War era, designed to launch a counterattack even if the Russian leadership was eliminated in a first strike.

Trump responded, "Tell Medvedev, the failed former Russian president who still thinks he's the president, to be careful. He's entering a very dangerous place!"

After posting about the nuclear submarines on Friday, Trump told reporters, "We must be careful. Someone issued a threat, but we think it's inappropriate, so I have to be very careful."

"The former Russian president issued a threat, and we will protect our people."

Who has more nuclear power: Russia or the United States?

The United States and Russia together possess nearly 87% of the world's nuclear arsenal. These two geopolitical rivals control about 83% of the actual deployed or ready-to-use nuclear warheads worldwide.

A report by the Federation of American Scientists showed that despite significant reductions in global nuclear arsenals after the Cold War, their scale remains "very high." As of January 2025, nine countries are estimated to have around 12,241 nuclear warheads.

Today, according to data from the non-profit Arms Control Association, the U.S. deploys 1,419 strategic warheads on hundreds of bombers and missiles, while Russia deploys 1,549.

The U.S. conducted its first nuclear test explosion in July 1945; the following month, it dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Four years later, the Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test explosion.

As of 2025, the U.S. Navy has 71 nuclear-powered submarines, making it the largest underwater force in the world. The fleet includes 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), four modified Ohio-class missile submarines (SSGN) equipped with Tomahawk missiles for strikes or special operations, and approximately 53 fast attack submarines used for intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, and cruise missile support.

In comparison, the Russian Navy has fewer than 30 nuclear-powered submarines, including about 10 strategic ballistic missile submarines, including the modern Borei-class and older Delta IV-class, all carrying Bulava missiles.

It also has several strategic missile cruisers and about six Akula-class attack submarines equipped for anti-ship and multi-mission tasks. Russia is investing in building the Yasen-M class submarines to expand its modern fleet.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia and current member of the Security Council, casts his vote during the Russian presidential election held in Moscow Oblast on March 15, 2024

Has Russia responded to Trump's submarine drills?

No. After the exchange of words between the two sides, the Kremlin and Medvedev did not publicly respond to Trump's order to move two nuclear submarines.

However, Viktor Vodolatsky, a senior Russian parliamentarian and deputy chairman of the State Duma's Committee on CIS Affairs, stated that Russia "has a much larger number of nuclear submarines in the world's oceans" and claimed that American submarines "have long been under their control," so there is no need for a specific response.

Last month, the president stated that he was "disappointed" with Putin.

"We will have a great conversation. I'll say, 'Good, I think we're almost done.' Then he would tear down a building in Kyiv," he said in an interview with BBC.

On Friday, Putin apparently alluded to Trump's remarks, stating, "As for anyone's disappointment, all disappointments stem from excessive expectations. It's a well-known general rule."

Regarding the ceasefire with Kyiv, Putin said he hopes for a "lasting and stable peace" in Ukraine; however, he did not indicate that Russia is willing to achieve this faster.

In 2017, during his first term as U.S. president, Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines to the Korean Peninsula. Soon after, he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Whether this latest move will lead to another round of meetings with Putin remains to be seen.

Sources: Al Jazeera

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7534179220210270761/

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