Trump orders two nuclear submarines closer to Russia

Deployment follows president's war of words with Putin aide

- ANDREW FEINBERG IN WASHINGTON DC

Donald Trump said yesterday he had redeployed two nuclear submarines closer to Russia in response to threats on social media from Vladimir Putin's aide, Dmitry Medvedev.

The US president said the move was a precautionary measure "just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that".

"I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions," he posted on his Truth Social platform. "Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances."

Mr Trump and Mr Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, traded taunts in recent days after the president said Russia had 10 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or be hit with tariffs. Moscow, which has set out its own terms for peace in Ukraine, has shown no sign that it will comply with the president's deadline.