Russia plays down nuclear risk after Trump's submarine deployment
Moscow
The Kremlin has dismissed concerns of a nuclear escalation following US President Donald Trump's decision to reposition two nuclear submarines closer to Russia.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the move as an emotional reaction rather than a significant shift in military
dynamics between the rival powers.
'It's clear that US submarines are always on alert in any case,' Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency TASS.
He cautioned all sides to exercise restraint when it comes to nuclear rhetoric.
Trump said on Friday he ordered the deployment in response to threats made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, has drawn attention for his hardline and provocative statements since the start of the war in Ukraine.
'In any country, members of its leadership have different working points of view on current events and have different attitudes. There are people who are very, very harshly minded both in the United States of America and in European countries,' Peskov said, referring to Medvedev.
'In our country, foreign policy is formulated by the head of state: President Putin.'
Peskov also acknowledged efforts by Trump and the US to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine.Trump has given Moscow a deadline to end the conflict, initially 50 days, which he has since shortened. According to US officials, the revised deadline is set to expire on Thursday. Trump has threatened sanctions if Russia does not comply.
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