On August 4, 2025, the Kremlin called for caution in nuclear rhetoric following an escalation of verbal exchanges between US President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. This diplomatic spat intensified after Medvedev warned Trump on social media about Russia's nuclear capabilities in response to Trump shortening a deadline for Moscow to enter ceasefire negotiations over Ukraine.
Trump responded by announcing that he had ordered two US nuclear submarines to reposition "in the appropriate regions" as a reaction to what he called Medvedev's "highly inflammatory statements." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the significance of the submarine movements, emphasizing that US nuclear submarines are always on alert and that Moscow has no intention of escalating tensions.
Peskov underscored the need for all parties to exercise extreme caution when discussing nuclear weapons, highlighting Russia's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. Medvedev, currently deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, is known as a provocateur aligned with President Vladimir Putin, who has himself issued nuclear threats during the Ukraine conflict.
Trump has also announced sending special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow as part of efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, while threatening further sanctions on Russia if the war does not end soon. The Kremlin’s measured response signals a desire to avoid further public escalation despite heightened rhetoric.
This situation reflects continuing geopolitical tensions as diplomacy and military posturing intersect in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both superpowers keen to manage risks while maintaining strategic leverage.