The Kremlin responded on Monday (August 4) to US president Donald Trump’s latest nuclear posturing, urging all sides to train restraint when discussing nuclear weapons. This follows Trump’s assertion that he had ordered two US nuclear submarines to reposition in response to remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in regards to the dangers of nuclear battle.
“Normally, in fact, we might not need to get entangled in such an argument and wouldn’t need to touch upon it in any method,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned. “In fact, we consider that everybody ought to be very, very cautious with nuclear rhetoric.”
No indicators of escalation, says Moscow
Regardless of Trump’s remarks, Moscow insisted it didn’t view the state of affairs as an escalation in nuclear tensions.
“We don’t consider that we’re speaking about any escalation now,” Peskov mentioned, including, “It’s clear that very advanced, very delicate points are being mentioned, which, in fact, are perceived very emotionally by many individuals.”
He additional downplayed the US repositioning of submarines, noting, “American submarines are already on fight obligation. That is an ongoing course of, that’s the very first thing.”
Kremlin silent on Medvedev’s provocation
When requested whether or not the Kremlin had suggested Medvedev to tone down his inflammatory on-line rhetoric, Peskov declined to present a direct reply.
“The primary factor, in fact, is the place of President Putin,” he mentioned.
Trump threatens sanctions over Ukraine battle
The trade of phrases comes at a tense diplomatic second. Trump has threatened recent sanctions on Russia and its oil patrons—together with India and China—except President Vladimir Putin agrees to finish the continued battle in Ukraine by Friday. The battle has now entered its fourth 12 months.
Regardless of Trump’s ultimatum, Putin final week claimed Russia had momentum on the battlefield and mentioned peace talks had proven “some optimistic progress,” signaling no main shift in Moscow’s stance.
Trump sends envoy for Moscow talks
Trump has despatched his longtime affiliate Steve Witkoff to Moscow for one more spherical of unofficial diplomacy.
Witkoff, an actual property developer and Trump ally, has met Putin throughout previous visits however is but to safe any breakthrough.
“We’re all the time joyful to see Mr Witkoff in Moscow and we’re all the time joyful to have contacts with Mr Witkoff,” Peskov mentioned. “We take into account them vital, significant and really helpful.”
Nevertheless, the Kremlin didn’t verify whether or not the journey was at Moscow’s invitation or what it hoped to achieve from the discussions.
Trump’s shifting tone on Putin
Though Trump has praised Putin prior to now, he has just lately expressed frustration over Russia’s ongoing army marketing campaign in Ukraine. In the meantime, Russia has intensified bombing raids on Ukrainian cities, and three rounds of direct peace talks in Turkey have yielded little progress past prisoner and physique exchanges.
