Donald Trump has said what he would do to put pressure on Vladimir Putin if he was still in office as the war in Ukraine rages on.
The former US president made the comments during an appearance on Fox Business yesterday (21 March).
The news comes as Putin's invasion of Ukraine continues, with 3.5 million people said to have fled the country since the war began.
During the appearance Trump spoke about his talks with Putin during his presidency.
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He said (as per Insider): "I listened to him constantly using the n-word, that's the n-word, and he's constantly using it: the nuclear word.
"You should say, 'Look, you mention that word one more time, we're going to send them over and we'll be coasting back and forth, up and down your coast."
He continued: "You can't let this tragedy continue. You can't let these, these thousands of people die."
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Trump also noted during the interview that Russia is a 'nuclear power' but added that the US is a 'greater nuclear power', stating that the US has 'the greatest submarines in the world, the most powerful machines ever built'.
The US has a fleet of 14 ballistic-missile submarines, that are often referred to as 'boomers', as per the US Navy.
The vessels are 'specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols' and the design of the submarines means that they can operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls.
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Trump's suggestion is at odds with the US's current approach of imposing sanctions, rather than direct military intervention in the war.
This isn't the first time that Trump has weighed in on the US's efforts to support Ukraine.
While making a speech in early March to Republican donors in New Orleans, Trump suggested that the US should label its F-22 planes with the Chinese flag and 'bomb the sh*t out of Russia', as per The Washington Post.
He continued: "And then we say, China did it, we didn’t do it, China did it, and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch."
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The quotes come from a recording of the 84-minute address to around 250 Republican Party donors.
Trump's address and recent nuclear submarine comments come after the former president faced intense criticism for calling Putin's moves in Ukraine before the war 'savvy' and 'brilliant'.
Today marks the 27th day of war in Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: Ukraine, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Russia, World News
Shola Lee