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Ukraine war
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Trump moves nuclear submarines after Russia’s Medvedev makes threats

The US president had traded taunts with the Russian politician over Trump’s deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine

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Ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev accused US President Donald Trump of engaging in a “game of ultimatums” and reminded him that Russia possessed nuclear strike capabilities of last resort. Photos: AFPF
Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in “appropriate regions” in response to threats from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

“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 social media post that called Medvedev’s statements highly provocative.

He added: “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”

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Trump did not say whether he meant nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines. He also did not elaborate on the locations, which are kept secret by the US military.

Trump and Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, traded taunts in recent days after Trump on Tuesday said Russia had “10 days from today” to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or be hit, along with its oil buyers, with tariffs.

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Trump threatens Russia with 100% ‘secondary’ tariffs if no deal on Ukraine ceasefire

Trump threatens Russia with 100% ‘secondary’ tariffs if no deal on Ukraine ceasefire

Moscow, which has set out its own terms for peace in Ukraine, has shown no sign that it will comply with Trump’s deadline.

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