President Donald Trump announced Friday that he had ordered the deployment of a pair of U.S. nuclear submarines amid ‘strong words’ from a top Russian official over his deadline to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump Russia news

Prior to the latest move, the U.S. already has a fleet of dozens of nuclear-powered subs that are constantly ready to strike in the event of a conflict.

Tensions rose again after Trump announced he was moving up his ultimatum for Russia to agree to end the war. 

‘We had to do that. We just have to be careful. And a threat was made and we didn’t think it was appropriate. So I have to be very careful,’ Trump said this as he left the White House Friday for a weekend at his New Jersey golf club.

‘A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people,’ he added.

Russia – Ukraine peace deal

If Russia fails to strike a peace deal by the end of next week, Trump said he will impose punishing ‘secondary sanctions’ on nations who trade with Russia.

Trump made the decision to deploy the submarines after ‘highly provocative statements’ of Russia’s ex-President Dmitry Medvedev – who now serves as deputy of Russia’s Security Council.

Dmitry Medvedev and Donald Trump news

He had called Trump’s sanctions threat a clear ‘step toward war,’ a statement that doesn’t sit well with the president.

‘Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia…Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!’ he wrote.

Trust Donald Trump to return the energy…the irated U S. president then tore into the Russian with his posts around midnight Thursday.

‘Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory,’ Trump wrote.