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Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Politics, US News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Politics, US News
Russia has spoken out after Donald Trump ordered for American nuclear vessels to be moved closer to the nation.
While Trump and Vladimir Putin have previously had an amicable working relationship, things between the pair have turned progressively more sour over the last few months.
From the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine to Trump's unfavorable tariffs on Russia, the two world leaders have disagreed on a lot of topics — and seemingly continue to do so.
Trump has long been trying to facilitate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and recently moved a deadline he'd set for Putin to end the war forward to August 9, rather than September 2.
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Should the Russian leader not meet the deadline, Trump has threatened heavy sanctions on the country.
Following this, Trump was accused of playing 'the ultimatum game' with the country by Russian Security Council official Dmitry Medvedev.
"Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10," he said on Twitter.
"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. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!"
Trump retaliated by telling Medvedev to 'watch his words' and proceeded to order that two American nuclear vessels be 'positioned in the appropriate regions', i.e closer to Russia.
He penned on Truth Social on August 1: "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.
"Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, has since responded to Trump's apparent threat and warned that America should be 'very careful'.
Peskov added, as per The Mirror: "Russia is very cautious about nuclear nonproliferation matters, and we believe everyone should be very careful about nuclear rhetoric."
"Very complex, very sensitive issues are being discussed, which, of course, many perceive very emotionally," he also said, BBC News reports.
Peskov's comments come shortly before US envoy Steve Witkoff is due to visit Russia tomorrow (August 6).