The US president stated that he must take all nuclear weapon mentions seriously and that the US must maintain a state of “totally prepared[ness]” for any possible conflict. This response follows what President Trump characterized as an inappropriate “threat” from Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president.
During a press briefing at the White House, President Trump addressed his alleged decision to move two nuclear submarines closer to Russian waters, asserting that this action was essential for safeguarding national security.
“Well, we had to do that. We just have to be careful. A threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate,” President Trump stated. “So I do that on the basis of safety for our people. A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people.”
Tensions rose after President Trump labeled Medvedev a “failed” leader and cautioned him to “watch his words.” Medvedev, currently the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, retaliated with a sharp message, warning against pushing Moscow too far. He alluded to the ‘Perimetr’ automatic nuclear retaliation system, a relic of the Soviet era that is thought to still be active in Russia.
“And about India’s and Russia’s ‘dead economies’ and ‘entering very dangerous territory’ – well, let him remember his favorite movies about ‘the walking dead,’ as well as how dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be,” Medvedev wrote.
While Russia has never formally acknowledged the system’s existence, Western analysts generally believe it serves as a final deterrent if Russia’s leadership were to be eliminated in a strike.
“`