Russia: How former President Dmitry Medvedev irritated Donald Trump with his provocative remarks

Has the Kremlin's puppet derailed Donald Trump ? On Friday, the US president announced on his Truth Social network that he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines "in the relevant areas" in response to "highly provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev," now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Donald Trump did not indicate whether these were nuclear-powered submersibles or those carrying atomic warheads, nor did he specify what the "provocative" remarks of the former Russian head of state (2008-2012) and prime minister (2012-2020) were... But his speech came after numerous exchanges between the two men via social networks.

Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine , Dmitry Medvedev has indeed distinguished himself by his provocative statements. A way of staying in the spotlight or a means for Moscow to defy the West by preserving traditional diplomatic channels from openly outrageous remarks? In any case, the former Russian leader, who will celebrate his 60th birthday in September, regularly raises the specter of a destructive "nuclear war" with the West.

Towards a point of no return?

Donald Trump explained to journalists that he reacted this way because Dmitry Medvedev himself had brandished the nuclear threat. The Russian—who no longer has any influence on the political scene, despite having long been considered one of the leaders of Putinism's "liberal" wing—had in fact castigated the President of the United States, citing "the famous 'dead hand'." A direct allusion to a top-secret automated system set up by the Soviet Union during the Cold War to take control of its nuclear arsenal in the event of its chain of command being destroyed.

After Donald Trump gave Vladimir Putin "10-12 days" to end the war in Ukraine, Dmitry Medvedev also raised his voice on July 28 in an X-rated post, declaring that "every new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country."

Although his messages generally received limited response, they ended up irritating the President of the United States, who, in contrast to the measured tone used towards Vladimir Putin - whom he has tried in vain to bring to the negotiating table - took him to task sharply.