US President Donald Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in appropriate regions after what he called highly provocative statements by Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev.

Medvedev, who currently serves as Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and is seen as a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, criticised Trump for playing an ultimatum game with Russia after the US President gave Russia a unilateral deadline to end the war with Ukraine or face sanctions within days.

US efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have all, but failed as the war grinds on.

Trump appeared irked by Medvedev’s response to his 10 to 12 day deadline ahead of possible fresh sanctions on Russia, after Medvedev warned that Russia was not Israel or Iran and that each new ultimatum was a threat and step towards war.

Trump hit back on social media, announcing the positioning of two nuclear submarines in the region as a precautionary measure in response to what he called foolish and inflammatory statements by Medvedev.

Trump, writing on Truth Social, said that words were very important and could often lead to unintended consequences, but expressed hope that this would not be one of those instances.