“No Winners in a Nuclear War”
Moscow, Aug 4 (EFE).—
The Kremlin on Sunday warned the United States that “in a nuclear war, there are no winners,” after US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to an alleged Russian threat.
“In a nuclear war, there are no winners,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated during his daily press briefing, urging caution in making statements about nuclear arsenals.
This marks Russia’s first response to the US president’s announcement on Friday, although Trump did not specify where the submarines would be deployed.
Peskov emphasized that Moscow does not believe there is currently any “nuclear escalation” underway between the two powers, adding, “We would prefer not to be drawn into such a controversy.”
“This is clearly a highly complex and sensitive matter, which many people tend to react to impulsively,” he noted.
Russia, by contrast, takes what it calls a “responsible” stance and believes “everyone should be extremely careful with nuclear rhetoric,” Peskov said.
“US nuclear submarines are always on alert, that’s a constant,” he added.
Trump on Friday ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to what he described as “provocative statements” on social media by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who had warned of a potential war between the two countries.
“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,” Trump said in Friday’s social media post.
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Last week, Medvedev criticized the ultimatum the United States gave Russia to end the war in Ukraine, warning it could lead to a direct conflict between Washington and Moscow.
“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,” Medvedev wrote on X.
Shortly afterward, the current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council added on Telegram: “He should remember his favorite zombie movies — and also how dangerous the ‘Dead Hand’ can be.”
The Russian “Perimeter” system, also known as the “Dead Hand,” is designed to automatically launch a retaliatory nuclear strike if the Kremlin loses control of its arsenal due to a massive enemy attack.
After repeatedly voicing disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump shortened the ultimatum to just 10 days for Russia to end the war, threatening secondary sanctions and tariffs on those importing Russian oil. EFE mos-sk
