• Trump confirmed two US nuclear submarines are now in the regions needed.
• The deployment follows provocative remarks from former Russian President Medvedev.
• The Kremlin urges caution regarding nuclear rhetoric and plays down the escalation.
• Trump has ordered sanctions on Russia if the Ukraine conflict does not cease soon.

President Donald Trump announced that two US nuclear submarines have been repositioned to “appropriate regions” amid rising tensions following provocative remarks from Dmitry Medvedev, the former President of Russia and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council. Trump stated, "They are in the region, yeah, where they have to be," reflecting his directive to enhance military readiness in response to Medvedev’s warnings about escalating conflict between the nations, according to trtglobal, thehill, and aa.

Trump's statement followed comments from Medvedev, who criticized the US stance over Ukraine and issued threats in response to Trump's ultimatum for a peace deal. Trump characterized Medvedev’s remarks as “foolish and inflammatory,” suggesting that they warranted such military readiness. "Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences," Trump said, echoing his concerns about nuclear escalation, as reported by Reuters and BBC.

In the Kremlin's initial response, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for caution regarding nuclear rhetoric and downplayed the significance of the submarines' repositioning. He stated, "American submarines are already on combat duty," thus suggesting the movement was more routine than extraordinary. Peskov reiterated the importance of careful communication regarding nuclear issues, reflecting ongoing sensitivities in US-Russia relations, according to Reuters and Dawn.

With tensions continuing to escalate, Trump has indicated potential sanctions against Russia if it does not cease military operations in Ukraine soon. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also scheduled to visit Russia, aiming to negotiate terms concerning the Ukraine conflict. This strategic move may underscore Trump's intentions not only to manage military readiness but also to exert diplomatic pressure on Moscow as the situation evolves, as detailed by Al Jazeera and aa.