Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia Amid Rising Tensions
'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 posted on social media.
He described Medvedev's recent remarks as 'highly provocative' and warned that 'words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.'
The move marks the latest escalation in rhetoric between the two leaders, who have traded barbs over Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Trump gave Moscow a 10-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face new US tariffs on Russian oil and on countries that purchase it.
Russia has not signaled any willingness to meet Trump's conditions and continues to advance its own demands for peace.
Medvedev, currently deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, responded by accusing Trump of playing a 'game of ultimatums' and reminded the US leader of Russia's legacy nuclear strike capabilities inherited from the Soviet Union.
The Kremlin has not directly commented on Trump's latest move, but Medvedev's remarks were widely covered in Russian state media. Once seen as a more moderate figure, Medvedev has in recent years become one of Moscow's most vocal anti-Western hardliners, often issuing hawkish statements that Kremlin critics describe as reckless.
However, some Western diplomats view Medvedev's rhetoric as a window into broader thinking within the Kremlin's senior policy circles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Standing on White House roof, Trump jokes about installing missiles
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US President Donald Trump responds to a question from the news media as he tours the roof at the White House. WASHINGTON - Mr Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance Aug 5 on a White House rooftop and joked about installing nuclear missiles at a time of escalating tensions with Russia. The US president, flanked by bodyguards and under the protection of snipers, strolled for 20 minutes on the flat roof above the press room as he looked across to the site of his proposed new ballroom. Asked why he was on the roof, he replied he was just 'taking a little walk.' Quizzed about what he intended to build, he joked 'nuclear missiles,' before appearing to mimic the launch of a weapon with his arm. The United States and Russia have engaged in heated rhetoric for several days. Mr Trump last week ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia in response to remarks he deemed provocative by former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev. US$200 million project With his planned ballroom and other projects, Mr Trump is determined to leave an imprint on the White House, drawing inspiration from the opulent style of his private properties. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Business Women on corporate boards give firms a competitive advantage, says Australian Governor-General Singapore CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading He has paved the lawn of the famous Rose Garden and adorned the Oval Office with lavish golden ornamentation. The 79-year-old leader recently announced plans for the ballroom, in what is shaping up to be the most significant project at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in over a century. He has vowed that he – with perhaps some help from private donors – would pay for all the work, estimated at US$200 million (S$258 million). 'It's just another way to spend my money for the country,' he said on Aug 5. A former reality TV host, Mr Trump is known for his public appearances that are half-comical, half-provocative, delighting his supporters and providing television networks with the images they relish. In 2015, he announced his presidential candidacy after slowly descending a golden escalator. And during the last presidential campaign, he staged photo ops in a garbage truck cabin and served fries in a McDonald's restaurant. AFP
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
US House panel subpoenas Clintons in Epstein probe
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Ex-US president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary arrive at the White House for a state dinner on May 23, 2024. WASHINGTON - US lawmakers on Aug 5 subpoenaed former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for testimony on Jeffrey Epstein, in a major escalation of the controversy surrounding the investigation into the notorious sex offender. The Clintons were among multiple former Democratic and Republican government officials – as well as the Justice Department – targeted by investigators reviewing the handling of the disgraced financier's case after he died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. The White House has been facing increasingly intense demands to be more transparent after the Justice Department angered Trump supporters – many of whom believe Epstein was murdered in a cover-up – when it confirmed in July that he had died by suicide in his prison cell and that his case was effectively closed. The department also said Epstein had no secret 'client list' – rebuffing conspiracy theories held by Mr Trump's far-right supporters about supposedly high-level Democratic complicity. Mr Trump has urged his supporters to drop demands for the Epstein files, but Democrats in the Republican-led Congress – with some support from majority lawmakers – have also been seeking a floor vote to force their release. 'By your own admission, you flew on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane four separate times in 2002 and 2003,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer wrote to former president Clinton. 'During one of these trips, you were even pictured receiving a 'massage' from one of Mr Epstein's victims.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Business Women on corporate boards give firms a competitive advantage, says Australian Governor-General Singapore CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading The White House has been seeking to redirect public attention from uproar over its handling of the affair with a series of headline-grabbing announcements including baseless claims that former president Barack Obama headed a 'treasonous conspiracy' against Mr Trump. Epstein was for years a friend and associate of Mr Trump and numerous high-profile people before he was convicted of sex crimes and then imprisoned pending trial for allegedly trafficking underage girls. His death supercharged a conspiracy theory long promoted by Trump supporters that Epstein had run an international pedophile ring and that elites wanted to make sure he never revealed their secrets. After Mr Trump returned to power in January, his administration promised to release Epstein case files. Past relationship When Attorney-General Pam Bondi announced on July 7 that she had nothing to release, Republicans were furious – and Mr Trump has attempted to control the scandal ever since. The case got even more complicated for the president after a Wall Street Journal report that he had written a lewd birthday letter to Epstein in 2003. Mr Trump denies this and has sued the Journal. The Journal then dropped a separate story, saying Bondi had informed Mr Trump in May that his name appeared several times in the Epstein files, even if there was no indication of wrongdoing. Other officials targeted by the Oversight Committee include former FBI director James Comey, former special counsel Robert Mueller and ex-attorney-generals Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales. Their depositions will take place between mid-August and mid-October. Mr Comer also issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for records related to Epstein – including its communications with Mr Trump's predecessor Joe Biden and his officials. Lawmakers have also been seeking testimony from Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for her role in his alleged crimes – although her cooperation is considered unlikely. The latest move from Mr Comer comes after Democrats on the oversight panel forced a vote to issue a subpoena just before the August recess, with three House Republicans backing the effort. 'Justice must apply to everyone, no matter how rich, powerful, or well-connected they are,' said Ms Summer Lee, the Democratic congresswoman who introduced the motion. AFP
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
US House panel subpoenas Clintons in Epstein probe
WASHINGTON: US lawmakers on Tuesday (Aug 5) subpoenaed former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton as part of an escalating congressional probe into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities and alleged government missteps. The subpoenas, issued by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, are part of a broader investigation into how the Justice Department handled Epstein's case before and after his 2019 death in a New York jail while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. His death was ruled a suicide, though many supporters of President Donald Trump allege a cover-up. MULTIPLE SUBPOENAS ISSUED In addition to the Clintons, the panel also subpoenaed former FBI Director James Comey, ex-special counsel Robert Mueller, and several former attorneys general, including Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions and Alberto Gonzales. Their depositions are scheduled between mid-August and mid-October. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer accused Clinton of having a relationship with Epstein, citing flight records and a widely circulated photo showing him receiving a massage from one of Epstein's alleged victims. 'By your own admission, you flew on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane four separate times in 2002 and 2003,' Comer wrote to the former president. The committee also subpoenaed the Justice Department for records related to Epstein, including communications with President Joe Biden's administration. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNDER PRESSURE The renewed interest in the Epstein case follows pressure from Trump supporters and lawmakers to release previously sealed documents. After returning to office in January, Trump promised to make the case files public. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on July 7 that there was nothing further to release. The decision drew backlash from Republicans and prompted additional scrutiny after a Wall Street Journal report alleged Trump had written a lewd birthday note to Epstein in 2003. Trump denies the claim and is suing the publication. The Journal also reported that Bondi had privately informed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in the Epstein files, though there was no evidence of wrongdoing. DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT FOR DISCLOSURE Despite the investigation being driven by Republicans, some Democrats have backed the effort. Congresswoman Summer Lee, who led a successful vote to subpoena the Clintons just before the August recess, said transparency was critical. 'Justice must apply to everyone, no matter how rich, powerful, or well-connected they are,' she said. Epstein was known to associate with numerous high-profile figures across the political spectrum, including both Trump and Clinton, before his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. MAXWELL TESTIMONY SOUGHT The committee is also seeking testimony from Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking network. Her cooperation, however, is viewed as unlikely. The White House has not responded to the latest subpoenas. It has previously attempted to redirect public attention by accusing former president Barack Obama of orchestrating a 'treasonous conspiracy' against Trump, a claim that has not been substantiated.
