Russian officials and media have downplayed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of repositioning two nuclear submarines in response to provocative statements from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The Kremlin has remained silent, while Russian commentators and a senior lawmaker labeled the move as a theatrical gesture unlikely to alter Moscow’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. Russian Reaction Trump’s August 1 order to position two nuclear submarines in “appropriate regions” followed Medvedev’s social media posts warning that Trump’s 10-day ceasefire ultimatum for Ukraine was a “step toward war.” Medvedev referenced Russia’s “Dead Hand” nuclear system, prompting Trump’s public escalation. Russian responses have been dismissive: Viktor Vodolatsky, a senior State Duma lawmaker, told Russian media that Russia’s nuclear submarine fleet, which he...