U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday he had ordered two nuclear submarines to new positions following what he called “highly provocative statements” by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, sparking concern among arms control advocates and foreign policy analysts.

Trump’s response came after Medvedev reminded Washington that Russia still possessed Soviet-era last-resort nuclear capabilities. “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 wrote on social media. He added, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences.”

The U.S. Navy and the Pentagon declined to comment, in line with long-standing policy not to discuss submarine deployments due to their sensitive role in nuclear deterrence.

Security experts called the move symbolic, noting that the U.S. already maintains continuous submarine-based nuclear readiness. “The subs are always there... they don’t need to be moved,” said Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists.

Strategic Signaling or Reckless Posturing?

Medvedev’s comments were not seen as a serious threat by U.S. officials before Trump’s announcement. However, Trump’s rhetoric has increasingly taken a confrontational tone. Earlier in the week, he gave Moscow a 10-day deadline to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire or face new tariffs — a deadline that expires August 8.

“This is irresponsible and inadvisable,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. “No leader should be threatening nuclear war, let alone in a juvenile manner on social media.”

Others, like Evelyn Farkas, a former senior Pentagon official, played down the danger. “It’s really signaling... nobody reads it as the beginning of a nuclear confrontation,” she said.

No Movement From Moscow

President Vladimir Putin has not responded directly to the threat but said Friday Russia was still open to peace talks — while claiming battlefield momentum favored Moscow. Russia has not indicated any intention of complying with Trump’s ceasefire demand.

As Trump grows increasingly frustrated with Putin’s stance and the ongoing war in Ukraine, his use of military threats and high-stakes diplomacy marks a risky turn that observers fear could raise nuclear tensions without yielding tangible results.