Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russia stated on Monday that caution is necessary regarding nuclear rhetoric, marking its first response to US President Donald Trump’s comments about deploying two nuclear submarines after an online dispute with ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov minimised the importance of Trump’s statement last Friday, in which he announced the deployment of two subs to “the appropriate regions” following remarks from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev about the potential for war between the nuclear-armed rivals.
US President Donald Trump stated that he had ordered the deployment in reaction to what he called “very provocative comments” from Medvedev that the submarines would be keeping watch from “proper areas.”
He did not specify whether he was referring to the nuclear-powered or the nuclear-armed submarines, nor did he reveal the locations of these submarines.
How is Russia responding to Trump’s nuclear rhetoric?
In a briefing to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry said:
“Russia is very attentive to the topic of nuclear non-proliferation. And we believe that everyone should be very, very cautious with nuclear rhetoric.”
“In this case, it is obvious that American submarines are already on combat duty. This is an ongoing process, that’s the first thing,”
Peskov told reporters.
“But in general, of course, we would not want to get involved in such a controversy and would not want to comment on it in any way,”
he also said. “Of course, we believe that everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric.”
Does Russia see Trump’s move as an escalation?
Peskov stated that Russia does not interpret Trump’s remarks as an escalation in nuclear tensions.
“We do not believe that we are talking about any escalation now. It is clear that very complex, very sensitive issues are being discussed, which, of course, are perceived very emotionally by many people,”
he said.
What did Medvedev say to provoke Trump’s reaction?
The tension between Medvedev and Trump escalated following the US leader’s warning that Russia must cease its military actions in Ukraine, or face new economic sanctions that could also target its remaining trading partners.
Medvedev, a leading anti-Western hawk in Russia, criticised Trump for “playing the ultimatum game” and warned that Trump “should remember” Russia’s strength.
“Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,”
he stated.
Medvedev presently holds the position of deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. He served as president from 2008 to 2012, primarily acting as a placeholder for Putin, who found ways to bypass constitutional term limits and stay in de facto power.
