Russia has urged caution regarding the use of nuclear rhetoric, responding to comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday. Trump had stated that he ordered the deployment of two U.S. nuclear submarines to unspecified regions following provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about the possibility of nuclear conflict. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov appeared to downplay the significance of Trump’s remarks, noting that American submarines are always on combat duty and that such deployments are part of standard operational procedures.
Peskov emphasized that Russia does not interpret Trump’s announcement as an escalation, suggesting instead that it reflects the high-stakes and emotionally charged nature of discussions surrounding nuclear issues. Without directly commenting on Trump’s message or engaging in a tit-for-tat exchange, he reiterated Russia’s long-standing position that nuclear matters must be addressed with the utmost caution and responsibility by all nations.
When asked whether the Kremlin had advised Medvedev to tone down his rhetoric, Peskov refrained from giving a clear answer. Instead, he noted that a range of views exists within leadership circles, both in Russia and internationally, including in the United States and Europe. He acknowledged that some figures express tougher stances, but stressed that these opinions do not define official state policy.
Peskov concluded by reaffirming that President Vladimir Putin is the sole architect of Russia’s foreign policy, reinforcing that, regardless of individual statements from within the Russian leadership, all foreign relations decisions rest with the president. This response indicates an effort by the Kremlin to de-escalate tensions while maintaining a firm stance on national security and diplomatic conduct.
