This comes after provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. But Nupi researcher Jakub Godzimirski does not believe there is much reason to worry about further escalation.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be stationed in areas near Russia.
According to Trump, this is in response to threats from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he writes on Truth Social.
– Based on the highly provocative statements of former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be deployed to the relevant areas – in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.
The United States has submarines that both use nuclear reactors as propulsion technology and can be equipped with nuclear weapons. Trump has not specified which type they are. Nor did he state where they were deployed.
– Moving into very dangerous territory
Dmitry Medvedev published the following message on X on July 28:
Trump is playing ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10... He should remember two things: Russia is not Israel and neither is Iran. 2. Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step closer to war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the same path as Sleepy Joe!
To that, Trump responded that Medvedev, referred to as the failed former president, had to be careful with his words.
– He is moving into very dangerous territory! wrote the US president on Truth Social on Thursday.
Trump's ultimatum
On July 14, Trump gave Moscow an ultimatum : Russia must stop the war in Ukraine and reach an agreement within 50 days.
On Tuesday, he cut the deadline significantly down to 10 days – August 8.
If Putin doesn't do it, Russia will be hit with 100 percent tariffs. Countries that buy Russian oil also risk heavy penalties. Trump will impose 500 percent tariffs on these.
Moscow, which has set its own conditions for peace in Ukraine, has shown no signs of meeting Trump's deadline.
Trump's frustration with Putin has reportedly increased in recent months. Experts are calling it a shift in direction. On Thursday, Trump called Russia's war in Ukraine"disgusting."
It happened after Russia carried out a massive attack on civilian targets in Kyiv. So far, 31 people have been found dead.
The United States and Russia are the world's two largest nuclear powers. Together, the two countries have 90 percent of the world's nuclear warheads.
Researcher: Way to put pressure on Putin
Jakub Godzimirski has been researching Russian foreign and security policy at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs for over 20 years.
He tells Aftenposten that this is part of the strategy of both Russia and the United States. These submarines constantly patrol the areas around Russia.
– We are talking about two countries that have large arsenals of nuclear weapons. This is an instrument that can be used to get others to do things they otherwise would not do.
Trump has long tried to be nice to Putin, according to Godzimirski. So far, it has not yielded any positive results.
The fact that Trump has now chosen to place submarines equipped with nuclear weapons in areas near Russia is to pressure the country to end the war against Ukraine, the researcher believes.
– This is a way to put pressure on Putin, and to make suggestions that he has trouble saying no to. Trump wants Putin to understand the seriousness of the situation and wants to show action.
Godzimirski believes that Trump wants to show Russia that they have a number of instruments they can use if needed, without us having to be afraid of nuclear escalation.
– When one party cries wolf, the other can too, says Godzimirski.
– Should we be afraid of further escalation?
– I think it is very far in the future for both Trump and Putin to use any of these weapons. It may be unpleasant to hear, but I don't think you need to be very worried.
