President Donald Trump has revealed that he had directed the deployment of two nuclear submarines to strategic locations in response to what he described as “highly provocative statements” from Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. Medvedev had earlier labeled Trump’s new deadline for Russia to halt its conflict with Ukraine as a move that could escalate tensions toward war.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated, “Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, 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.” He emphasized the weight of rhetoric, adding, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Medvedev, reacting to Trump’s Monday announcement that Russia must resolve the Ukraine conflict within 10 to 12 days, warned that such ultimatums were dangerous. “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,” Medvedev posted online. He further cautioned Trump against following the path of his predecessor, referring to “Sleepy Joe.”
Trump’s frustration with the lack of progress in peace talks was evident. On July 14, he had threatened “severe tariffs” if Russia did not agree to a peace deal within 50 days, but by Monday, he shortened the timeline significantly. Speaking to reporters in Scotland, Trump said, “I’m going to make a new deadline, of about 10 — 10 or 12 days from today. There’s no reason for waiting. It was 50 days. I wanted to be generous, but we just don’t see any progress being made.”
The announcement coincided with heightened tensions, as Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine, launching over 300 drones, four cruise missiles, and three ballistic missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. Trump also shared casualty figures on Truth Social, noting, “I have just been informed that almost 20,000 Russian soldiers died this month in the ridiculous War with Ukraine.” He claimed Russia had lost 112,500 soldiers since January 2025, while Ukraine lost around 8,000 soldiers, excluding missing personnel and civilian casualties. Trump called the conflict “Biden’s War,” insisting, “I’m just here to see if I can stop it!”
Trump’s Diplomacy with Russia and Stance on Ukraine
President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to engage in diplomacy with Russia to end its war against Ukraine, emphasizing negotiations as a path to peace. However, his approach combines outreach with firm boundaries, signaling that he will not allow Russia to dictate terms unchecked. Since taking office, Trump has advocated for dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that direct talks could de-escalate the conflict. In a July 2025 speech, he claimed he could resolve the war “in a matter of days” through personal diplomacy, leveraging his past interactions with Putin during his first term.
Trump’s diplomatic overtures are rooted in his belief that the Ukraine conflict, which intensified under the Biden administration, is a drain on global stability. He has criticized NATO’s role and U.S. military aid to Ukraine, suggesting that negotiations could save lives and resources.
Sources indicate Trump has privately reached out to Putin multiple times since early 2025, proposing frameworks for a ceasefire that would involve territorial concessions by Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees. These proposals, however, have not been publicly detailed, and their feasibility remains uncertain given Russia’s entrenched position in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Despite his push for talks, Trump has made clear that Russia cannot act with impunity. His deployment of two nuclear submarines in August 2025, as noted earlier, was a direct response to provocative rhetoric from Dmitry Medvedev. He has also threatened economic measures, such as “severe tariffs” on Russia, to pressure Moscow into negotiations. In a June 2025 press conference, Trump stated that he would “hit Russia hard economically” if Putin refused to engage constructively, highlighting his willingness to use trade as leverage.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine reflects a balancing act. While he seeks to avoid deeper U.S. military involvement, he has pledged support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, albeit with limits. In March 2025, he approved a $10 billion aid package for Ukraine, significantly smaller than Biden-era commitments, focused on humanitarian aid and defensive weapons. Web reports suggest Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider territorial compromises, such as ceding Crimea and parts of Donbas, to secure peace. This approach has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials, who argue it rewards Russian aggression.
Russia’s response to Trump’s diplomacy has been mixed. Putin has publicly expressed openness to talks, particularly if they involve lifting Western sanctions. However, Russian military actions, including the August 2025 drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, indicate Moscow is not ready to concede ground.
Kremlin statements, as reported by Reuters, emphasize that any deal must recognize Russia’s control over annexed territories, a condition Trump has not endorsed publicly. This gap highlights the challenges of aligning Trump’s diplomatic ambitions with Russia’s strategic goals.
Trump’s rhetoric often frames the war as a tragedy that could have been avoided. His Truth Social posts, including the one citing 112,500 Russian and 8,000 Ukrainian military deaths in 2025, aim to highlight the human cost while distancing himself from the conflict’s origins.
He frequently labels it “Biden’s War,” arguing that his predecessor’s policies escalated tensions. Web analyses suggest this narrative resonates with his domestic base but complicates relations with European allies, who view U.S. leadership as critical to countering Russia.
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