Trump deploys two nuclear submarines near Russia after 'inflammatory statements’ from Medvedev

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

US to deploy nuclear submarines after 'provocative' Russian comments

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to "provocative" comments by a senior Russian official.

"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 posted on his Truth Social platform.

"Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances," he added.

Trump's comments continue an ongoing war of words on social media between the US president and Russian former President Medvedev.

Medvedev served as Russian president from 2008 to 2012, between President Vladimir Putin's terms in power, and is now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. 

He attracted Trump's ire when he said the US president's threat to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian oil, such as India, constituted an "ultimatum game" whereby "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war" between Moscow and Washington.

On Thursday, Medvedev wrote in a post on Telegram that, "if some words from the former president of Russia trigger such a nervous reaction from the high-and-mighty president of the United States, then Russia is doing everything right and will continue to proceed along its own path."

He also said Trump should remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be" — a reference to a secretive, semi-automated, Soviet-era command system designed to launch Moscow's nuclear missiles in the event of its leadership being eliminated.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Zelenskyy ready to talk to Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated on Friday his willingness to sit down with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy was reacting to the Russian president's statements on Friday that Moscow hoped for more peace talks with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants to "move beyond" statements and lower-level meetings on the matter.

"If these are signals of a genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and establish a truly lasting peace...then Ukraine once again reaffirms its readiness to meet at the level of leaders at any time," he wrote on social media. 

Earlier, Putin said the momentum of the war was in Russia's favor, signaling no shift in his stance despite a looming sanctions deadline from the United States. US President Trump said he would impose sanctions on Russia unless it stopped the war by August 8. 

"We need a lasting and stable peace on solid foundations that would satisfy both Russia and Ukraine, and would ensure the security of both countries," Putin told reporters, adding: "The conditions (from the Russian side) certainly remain the same."

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Putin says he want peace talks but says his military is gaining ground

Putin was speaking alongside his ally Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, at talks on an island in Lake Ladoga that is the site of a famous Russian monasteryImage: Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he hopes peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will continue. 

He said talks should be conducted "without cameras and in a calm atmosphere."

He mentioned that working groups could discuss possible compromises. However, he made it clear that Moscow's goals have not changed.

At the same time, Putin said Russian troops were attacking Ukraine along the entire front line and that the momentum was in their favor.

He cited his Defence Ministry's statement that it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday dismissed Russian claims  of capturing Chasiv Yar as "disinformation."

"Ukrainian units are holding our positions," Zelenskyy said in his daily video address on Thursday evening. "It is not easy, but it is the defense of Ukrainians' very right to life."

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

EU's Kallas says Ukraine needs more weapons

European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said tougher sanctions on Russia are the fastest way to end the war in Ukraine.

She also said Kyiv needs more weapons.

"Getting more air defenses to Ukraine fast is our priority," she said after a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv.

She described the Russian attacks as "depraved" and posted a photo of the bloc's flag at half-staff.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

WATCH: Refugee status of Ukrainians in US in limbo under Trump

Misha Komadovsky

The United States welcomed over 180,000 Ukrainians fleeing war under a program started by the previous Joe Biden administration.

With Donald Trump back in office, the program has been suspended, and Ukrainians are quietly being pressured to leave.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Germany to deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine

Germany will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the United States, the Bundeswehr said.

In return, Germany has agreed with the US Defense Department that it will be the first country to receive expedited delivery of new-generation Patriot systems.

The Patriot is one of the world's most advanced air defense systems, capable of intercepting aircraft and missiles.

Germany had delivered three Patriot systems to Ukraine earlier in the war.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the announcement "shows once again that Germany is by far Ukraine's strongest supporter when it comes to air defense."

The two launchers will head to Ukraine in the coming days, followed by additional system components to be handed over in two to three months.

Patriot systems are fully mobile batteries that include a command center, a radar station to detect incoming threats, and launchers.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Rubio calls India's Russian oil imports a ‘point of irritation’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described India's continued oil imports from Russia as a "point of irritation" for Washington.

Speaking to Fox News Radio, Rubio said, "Unfortunately, that is helping to sustain the Russian war effort. So it is most certainly a point of irritation in our relationship with India, not the only point of irritation."

US President Trump has signed an order imposing new tariffs set to take effect August 7, including 25% duties on goods from India.

He also added penalties due to India's reliance on Russia for oil and military equipment.

India has faced pressure from Western countries, including the United States, to reduce its ties with Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding relationship with Russia, through the BRICS alliance and bilaterally, and its economic needs.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Zelenskyy: Russia Launched Over 3,800 Drones, 260 Missiles in July

Russia used over 3,800 drones and nearly 260 missiles for its attacks on Ukraine in July, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a post on social media, he urged "increased pressure on Moscow and additional sanctions."

"They must target everything that enables such attacks to continue," he wrote in the wake of a deadly attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. 

Zelenskyy added that the Russian attacks can only be stopped through joint efforts by the US, Europe, and other global actors.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Trump calls Russian attack 'disgusting' as envoy heads to Moscow

US President Donald Trump criticized the latest Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, suggesting that new sanctions against Moscow were coming.

"Russia, I think it's disgusting what they're doing," Trump told journalists as he took questions after an executive order signing at the White House.

Trump, who initially gave Russia 50 days to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine or face tariffs, shortened the deadline to "10 or 12 days" on Monday and said Tuesday the countdown was now at 10 days.

On Thursday, he said, "I don't know that sanctions bother him," referring his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to travel to Russia, but it was not clear if he would meet with Putin. 

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Death toll from Russian attack on Kyiv rises to 31

The death toll from Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv on Thursday has risen to 31, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday. 

The toll was revised upward after rescuers recovered more bodies, including a two-year-old child from a residential building in the Sviatoshynsky district.

"Once again, this vile strike by Russia demonstrates the need for increased pressure on Moscow and additional sanctions," Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

"No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work – and they must be strengthened. They must target everything that enables such attacks to continue."

The mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko, said more than 150 people had been injured, including 16 children.

Klitschko said it was the highest number of children wounded in a single night since Russia's full-scale invasion began.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it had targeted Ukrainian military airfields and ammunition depots linked to Kyiv's military-industrial complex.

However, officials reported that schools and hospitals were damaged in 27 locations across the city.

City authorities have declared Friday a day of mourning.

08/01/2025August 1, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Kyiv is observing a day of mourning following Thursday's deadly bombardment, one of the worst attacks since Russia launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022.

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the geopolitical fallout. US President Donald Trump's patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be wearing thin.

Over the past few days, Trump has repeatedly shortened the deadline to impose sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

His envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Russia after his current stop in Israel. The outcome of the trip could be telling.