Trump-Medvedev nuclear standoff escalates with US submarine deployment
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US President Donald Trump and Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev escalate nuclear threats over Ukraine. Trump deploys submarines after Medvedev invokes the Cold War-era "Dead Hand" system.
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Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev attends the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 9, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II (Ilya Pitalev/Photo host agency RIA Novosti via AP)
A heated public confrontation between US President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has escalated into one of the most dangerous diplomatic exchanges between nuclear powers in recent memory. The standoff culminated in Trump’s unprecedented decision to deploy nuclear submarines in response to veiled nuclear threats from Medvedev.
The conflict intensified when Trump shortened his deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Initially offering 50 days for a resolution, Trump reduced the deadline to just "10 or 12 days" on July 28, 2025. He warned of imposing 100% secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil should Moscow fail to comply.
Medvedev’s 'Dead Hand' threat
Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things:
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) July 28, 2025
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, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, responded aggressively on social media. Dismissing Trump’s approach as an "ultimatum game," Medvedev issued a provocative warning: “Russia isn’t "Israel" or even Iran. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”
Medvedev also referenced Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear system. In a Telegram post, he cryptically alluded to the dormant system’s dangers, adding a theatrical touch by invoking "The Walking Dead" series, a nod to Trump’s media tastes.
Trump orders nuclear submarine deployment near Russia
On August 1, 2025, Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to unspecified "appropriate regions." In a Truth Social post, he cited Medvedev’s “foolish and inflammatory statements,” warning that words could lead to “unintended consequences.”
Trump had previously attacked Medvedev personally, calling him a “failed former President of Russia” and dismissing both Russian and Indian economies as “dead.” He stated, “I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
