Russia is backing down.
After a top Kremlin official made "highly provocative statements" that made Donald Trump move United States nuclear submarines closer to Moscow, the country issued an apology to American leadership.

"Overall, of course, we do not wish to be drawn into such discussion or comment on it. We approach any statements related to nuclear issues with great caution," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "As you know, Russia holds a responsible position. President [Vladimir] Putin's stance is well known."
"Russia takes the issue of nuclear non-proliferation very seriously," Peskov continued. "And, of course, we believe that everyone should be extremely careful when it comes to nuclear rhetoric."

Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev caused alarm when he took to X to lash out at Trump over possible United States sanctions on Moscow in response to the country's ongoing war with Ukraine.
"Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10. He should remember two things: 1. Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war," one post read.
Trump took to Truth Social to fire back at Medvedev's threats. "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," he wrote.

As Trump left the White House on his way to his New Jersey golf club, he doubled down on the move. "When you talk about nuclear, you have to be prepared. And we're totally prepared," he told reporters.
In response to Trump's military order, Peskov claimed in a statement, "U.S. submarines are already on combat duty. This is an ongoing process."