After Donald Trump announced two nuclear submarines, the Kremlin issued a warning
US: In reaction to remarks made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, US President Donald Trump announced he had placed two nuclear submarines “closer to Russia” on Monday, prompting the Kremlin to issue a warning.
When it comes to nuclear non-proliferation, Russia pays close attention. Additionally, we think that everyone should use nuclear hyperbole with extreme caution,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to AFP.
Nuclear non-proliferation: what is it?
One important international agreement that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, encourage the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and advance disarmament is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Treaty, which was made available for signing in 1968 and went into effect in 1970, was extended indefinitely in 1995 and now has 191 signatories, the most of any weapons control agreement.
Under the NPT, non-nuclear nations promise not to seek nuclear weapons, while nuclear-weapon states pledge not to aid others in obtaining them. In order to prevent the diversion of nuclear material for military purposes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while not being a party to the Treaty, performs a vital verification function via inspections and safeguards.
An intensifying verbal battle
Citing Medvedev’s “highly provocative statements,” Trump announced the deployment on Friday, stating that he had sent the submarines to “appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.” He did not say if the submarines were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, but he did tell reporters they were “in the region, where they have to be.”
The Russian leader responded sharply to Trump’s online warning to “watch his words,” which sparked the most recent discussion between the two men. Trump’s demands, according to Medvedev, the current deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, are a “step towards war… not with Ukraine, but with his own country.”
Trump said in an interview with Newsmax that Medvedev “was talking about nuclear,” adding that “we have to be prepared when you talk about nuclear,” and we are completely ready. Trump said that “we’re going to protect our people” and referred to the sub deployment as a “precaution.”
This action comes as Trump threatens to impose further penalties on Russia unless it ends the fighting in Ukraine within a few days. Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, is scheduled to go to Moscow for ceasefire negotiations in the middle of this week. “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed,” Trump said in response to a question on what may prevent the penalties.
Trump has threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” on nations that continue to trade with Russia, such as China and India. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his demands for peace and urged Ukraine to give up its aspirations to join NATO and to relinquish areas that Moscow alleges it has seized.