Trump frustrated as there's no flexibility from Russia: Marco Rubio
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KUALA LUMPUR: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the US and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after e met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia Thursday."I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov . "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace, but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president." He didn't elaborate.Rubio added that President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict."We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. "We're going to continue to stay involved where we see opportunities to make a difference."The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European nations and the US.The meeting was their second since Rubio took office, although they have spoken by phone several times. Their first meeting took place in February in Saudi Arabia, as the Trump administration sought to test Russia and Ukraine on their willingness to make peace.
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First Post
14 minutes ago
- First Post
Why Trump's public order to reposition nuclear submarines near Russia is concerning
US President Donald Trump has ordered two nuclear submarines to 'appropriate regions' after a fiery exchange with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, raising eyebrows worldwide. While experts stress this is more of a signal than a military move, Trump's decision to publicise submarine positioning marks a rare escalation in rhetoric with Moscow read more US President Donald Trump looks on as a member of the media raises their hand, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, August 1, 2025. File Image/Reuters United States President Donald Trump on Friday revealed that he had directed two American nuclear submarines to be relocated to what he described as 'the appropriate regions.' His announcement followed a volatile exchange with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, 'Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev … 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.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added, 'Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.' Later in the day, Trump doubled down on his decision during an interaction with reporters, stating, 'A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we're going to protect our people.' In an interview with Newsmax, he offered further reasoning, saying, 'We always want to be ready, and so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that.' The Pentagon and the US Navy, however, remained silent on the development, highlighting how rare it is for a sitting US president to publicly disclose or even allude to the positioning of nuclear-capable submarines, an issue typically kept behind numerous classified protocols. Why Medvedev's remarks triggered Trump The chain of events began days earlier, when Trump issued a blunt ultimatum to Moscow: agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within ten days or face sweeping tariffs. The warning was the latest in Trump's already hardening stance on the conflict, which has dragged on for more than three years since Russia's invasion in 2022. Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, responded with a post that bristled with mockery and menace. He wrote that Trump's series of ultimatums represented 'a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!' Dmitry Medvedev is a former President as well as Prime Minister of Russia. File Image/Reuters The post referenced 'Sleepy Joe,' a nickname Trump has long used to deride his predecessor Joe Biden. By comparing Trump's ultimatum to Biden's policies and warning of potential war, Medvedev appeared to deliberately provoke a reaction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In another statement, he made reference to Russia's Cold War-era automatic nuclear retaliation capabilities — a statement that escalated the online confrontation and set off alarms in Washington. Trump, who has increasingly voiced anger toward Russia in recent months, snapped back and told Medvedev to 'watch his words,' accusing Moscow of carrying out 'disgusting' attacks on Ukraine and warning of additional sanctions. In one message, he wrote: 'This is Biden's War, not 'TRUMP's.' I'm just here to see if I can stop it!' Though Medvedev is widely seen as a political figurehead with little direct control over Russia's nuclear arsenal, his language has often been combative and is viewed by many Western officials as reflecting the Kremlin's ideological posture. Some US officials quietly downplayed the seriousness of Medvedev's comments, saying they were not treated as an imminent nuclear threat. But for Trump, the exchange became personal — and public. What submarines did Trump mean One of the biggest questions following Trump's announcement was: what exactly did he mean by 'nuclear submarines'? The United States operates 71 nuclear-powered submarines, which fall into two broad categories: fast-attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The latter — the Ohio-class fleet — forms one of the three pillars of America's nuclear 'triad,' alongside land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and strategic bombers. The US has 14 Ohio-class submarines, each able to carry up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles. These missiles are capable of delivering multiple thermonuclear warheads to targets up to 4,600 miles (7,400 km) away. At any given moment, between 8 and 10 of these subs are on patrol in undisclosed locations across the globe, maintaining a constant state of readiness. Experts note that such submarines do not need to be 'moved into position' to strike potential targets, because their range covers vast swaths of the planet. Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists highlighted this point, saying: 'The subs are always there all the time and don't need to be moved into position. He grants Medvedev a response to these crazy statements.' It remains unclear whether Trump was referring to these nuclear-armed Ohio-class subs or to other nuclear-powered attack submarines, which are not armed with nuclear weapons but can carry conventional missiles and conduct surveillance, intelligence, and anti-ship operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Russia boasts around 64 vessels in its submarine fleet of which more than half of them are reportedly nuclear-powered. This includes 11 nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines, 14 nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 16 ballistic missile submarines, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Why this is unusual by a US president While the US military regularly shifts its submarine deployments, it almost never advertises those movements. In fact, the operational secrecy of ballistic missile submarines is a foundational element of US nuclear deterrence strategy — their undetected presence is meant to assure adversaries that any nuclear strike on the United States would be met with devastating retaliation. That is what made Trump's announcement so unusual. By publicly declaring the submarine repositioning, he effectively turned a normally silent act of military deterrence into a loud political signal. Analysts say this appears to be part of Trump's well-known style of performative strength — responding visibly when provoked. Security expert explained the move by saying that the submarines were likely already where they need to be, but announcing their movement amplifies the signal to Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's decision to go public also fits a broader pattern. In December 2016, weeks before his first inauguration, Trump had posted on Twitter that the US 'must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability.' That statement triggered fears of a potential arms race, even though the number of US nuclear warheads has largely remained stable in recent decades, shrinking from Cold War highs through arms control agreements. Why Trump publicly mentioned the nuclear submarines Trump's relationship with Russia and its leadership has long been a matter of intense debate. In his first term, he frequently boasted about his rapport with President Vladimir Putin, portraying himself as a dealmaker who could manage the bilateral relationship better than his predecessors. But his recent language suggests a turn toward frustration and confrontation. In recent weeks, Trump has blasted Russia's military actions in Ukraine, describing them as 'disgusting' and accusing Putin of talking 'bullshit.' He has also threatened secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian energy — explicitly mentioning India — and warned that buyers of Russian oil could face economic penalties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the same time, he has pursued aggressive tariff policies, declaring, 'They can take their dead economies down together.' Although Medvedev was the immediate target of his submarine remarks, many observers believe the real message was aimed at Putin. Trump has become more critical of the Kremlin while still appearing to believe he retains a personal channel with the Russian president. Experts weigh in: signalling, not immediate conflict Despite the fiery language and the alarming subject matter — nuclear weapons — most security analysts say Trump's announcement is not evidence of imminent military escalation. Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute and a former senior Pentagon official, argued that this move was mostly about messaging rather than preparing for a nuclear clash. 'It's really signalling. It's not the beginning of some nuclear confrontation and nobody reads it as such. And I would imagine the Russians don't either,' she told Reuters. At the same time, there are concerns about the potential consequences of such rhetoric. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, condemned the tone of the exchange, stating: 'This is irresponsible and inadvisable. No leader or deputy leader should be threatening nuclear war, let alone in a juvenile manner on social media.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other analysts warn that Trump could be stepping into what they call a 'commitment trap,' in which strong words create an expectation that he will follow through with increasingly forceful actions if tensions escalate further. What next for Trump, Ukraine and Putin Trump's submarine declaration did not happen in isolation. It is part of a broader strategy — or at least a series of moves — to pressure Moscow into ending the war in Ukraine. On July 29, Trump had given Russia a ten-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face punishing tariffs. The deadline expires on August 8, and Moscow has shown no signs of complying. Putin has instead reiterated that the 'momentum of the war' favours Russia, while saying he remains open to 'peace talks,' a statement that has not been accompanied by any real concessions. Supporters may see this as a show of decisiveness and resolve, especially toward a Russia that has frequently used its own nuclear rhetoric to intimidate. Critics, however, argue that publicising such decisions undermines the quiet deterrence posture that the US has cultivated for decades — and raises unnecessary fears of a nuclear standoff. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump vs Russia's Medvedev: Why is US deploying nuclear submarines?
In a dramatic escalation of tensions with Russia, US President Donald Trump on Friday announced he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines, citing "provocative" remarks by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev. US President Donald Trump said on August 1, 2025, that he had ordered deployment of two nuclear submarines in response "highly provocative" comments by then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev..(AFP) The move marked a sharp departure from mere rhetorical differences to military posturing amid growing friction between the two nuclear-armed nations over the Ukraine war. 'Based on the highly provocative statements,' Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, '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.' 'Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances,' he added. Trump's public reference to submarine deployment is unusual, given the classified nature of such operations, however, it adds a new layer of seriousness to a dispute that began as online taunts but has now veered into potentially dangerous territory. Why is Donald Trump angry? The trigger for Trump's action appears to be a string of social media exchanges with Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, who on Thursday invoked the Soviet-era 'Dead Hand' automated nuclear system in a Telegram post, referencing a Cold War-era doomsday protocol, reported news agency AFP. Trump reacted strongly in an interview, saying: 'When you mention the word 'nuclear'... my eyes light up. And I say, we better be careful, because it's the ultimate threat.' In the same interview, he confirmed the submarines were 'closer to Russia' and said, 'We always want to be ready. And so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that.' Trump did not clarify whether the submarines were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, nor did he reveal their exact deployment locations. The information typically classified by the Pentagon. What Dmitry Medvedev said The war of words began earlier this week when Trump, on his social media platform, called Russia's and India's economies 'dead.' Medvedev fired back, accusing the US president of 'playing the ultimatum game' and warning that Trump 'should remember' that Russia is a formidable force. On Monday, Medvedev wrote on X: 'He [Trump] should remember the formidable potential of our country.' On Thursday, he escalated further by referencing the 'fabled 'Dead Hand'.' Trump returned fire by branding Medvedev 'the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President,' and warned: 'He's entering very dangerous territory!' Medvedev, president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, has transformed in recent years into one of the Kremlin's most provocative online voices, frequently promoting ultra-nationalist narratives. However, analysts note that his influence on actual policy is limited. Russia's nuclear moves and the Ukraine backdrop Tensions were already high before the Trump-Medvedev exchange. Hours earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had begun mass production of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile and planned to deploy them in Belarus by the end of the year. 'Work is now underway to prepare these positions,' Putin said, standing alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. 'So, most likely, we will close this issue by the end of the year,' he added. Putin also reiterated his long-standing demands for ending the war in Ukraine, saying, 'Our demands are unchanged.' He was talking about Moscow' long standing ask that Kyiv abandon its NATO ambitions and cede disputed territory. Despite US pressure, Russia's offensive in Ukraine continues. A missile and drone attack on Kyiv Thursday killed 31 people, including five children, prompting a day of mourning in the Ukrainian capital. President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for direct talks with Putin. 'The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia's readiness,' Zelensky said on X. The United States and Russia collectively control about 90% of the world's nuclear weapons. The US maintains a triad of land, sea, and air-based systems, with nuclear-armed submarines on continuous patrol.
The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
All about India-U.S. trade: Infographics
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (July 31, 2025) announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports into the U.S., effective August 1, following a 90-day pause in tariffs announced in April. In a post on the platform Truth Social, he called India's tariffs 'too high' and said that it had 'strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers.' He also criticised India for its fossil fuel trade with Russia. Mr. Trump has been trying to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to stop the three-year ongoing war between the two countries, with no firm deal in sight yet. In this context, here is an overview of the India-U.S. trade. How much does India export to and import from the U.S.? In 2024-25, India's exports to the U.S. were valued over 86,000 million dollars, with imports being over 45,000 million dollars. In terms of percentage, the U.S. made up around 20% of India's exports and 6.3% of its imports. India has always imported more than it exported to the U.S. Exports to the U.S. fell sharply in January this year and have continued to remain below levels not seen after 2022. India exported in March this year the lowest since April 2016. What does India send to the U.S.? India's major exports to the U.S. include telecom equipment, drug formulations and biologicals, textiles, petroleum, iron and steel, pearl and precious stones and more. However, there are variations in the percentage of each of these products that India exports to the U.S. compared to total exports of the product to all countries. For instance, India sends over 63% of all telecom exports to the U.S. For petroleum products, this is 7%. India-Russia trade One of Mr. Trump's criticisms is India's trade with Russia in the area of energy. As part of its opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine, the European Union along with other Western countries imposed sanctions on Russian goods and individuals, and cut down on its imports of Russian energy after 2022. However, India increased its imports of Russian energy from around 2% of total Russian exports to over 20% in response to cheaper prices of discounted Russian oil. In a media briefing on Friday (August 1, 2025), the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that decisions regarding the sourcing of energy were 'based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time.' Similarly, External Affairs Minister said in 2023 that the country had to source oil where it was cheapest. He pointed out that European countries are 'diverting production out of the Middle East and raising prices.' Besides energy imports, India's imports of Russian military equipment was another of Mr. Trump's complaints. In 2024, India imported around 40% of its military imports from Russia. Exports to India made up 34% of Russia's total exports. According to SIPRI, Russia was the top supplier to India, followed by France and Israel in 2024. However, Indian sources told Reuters that the country was looking to pivot away from Russian arms since Russia's munitions were depleted due to its war with Ukraine. This also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' programme to boost domestic production. On military procurement, Mr. Jaiswal said sourcing was determined 'solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments' on Friday. (With inputs from Reuters)
