In response to threats by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in regions near Russia.
"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," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, invoked the "Dead Hand"—a Cold War-era system designed by Moscow that would automatically launch a retaliatory nuclear strike if the Soviet Union—present-day Russia—were attacked, even if its leadership were incapacitated.
The showdown between Trump and Medvedev on Thursday was triggered by the US President imposing 25 percent tariffs on India over its
purchase of energy from Russia.
"As for the talk about the 'dead economies' of India and Russia, and 'entering dangerous territory' - maybe he should recall his favourite movies about 'the walking dead,' and also remember how dangerous the so-called 'Dead Hand,' which doesn't even exist, could be," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel.
In the same Truth Social post where Trump announced the levies on Indian imports to the US, he also took a potshot at both Medvedev and Russia, saying, "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"
This was in response to Medvedev warning Trump after the US reduced the ceasefire deadline with Ukraine from 50 days to just 10–12 days, threatening "secondary tariffs" if the deadline was not met.