Trump deploys nuclear submarines amid tension with Russia
The dispute stemmed from Trump's ultimatum to Russia last month: make peace with Ukraine or brace for sanctions and secondary tariffs aimed at choking off the country's oil revenue. He gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50 day-deadline, which he later revised to Aug. 8.
Trump offers Putin an ultimatum: Senate pressure builds to sanction Russia
The president told reporters on Aug. 3 that if the deadline arrives and Russia has not agreed to a ceasefire, "there'll be sanctions."
"But they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," he added. "You know, they're wily characters. ... So we'll see what happens."
Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff had been expected to visit Russia before the deadline, but the president signaled to reporters that trip had not yet taken place.
He said Witkoff is currently focused on addressing starvation in Gaza, but could go to Russia later in the week.
Trump says he ordered 2 nuclear subs: They're heading to 'appropriate regions' after Russia nuclear threats
The president stressed the need for a deal in Ukraine in which people stop being killed.
"And now we're adding towns, where they're being hit by missiles," Trump said.
Medvedev serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. He said in a July 28 post on X that Trump should remember that "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country."
Trump hit back in a Truth Social post that said: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"
After Medvedev said Trump should remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be," in a post on the messaging app Telegram that referenced the Soviet Union's doomsday nuclear system, the U.S. president said he would reposition the submarines.
Calling the comments "highly provocative," Trump said on Truth Social that he was taking action, "just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that."
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