The Kremlin wants to turn down the temperature after a week of tough talk and threats between American and Russian officials triggered the repositioning of U.S. nuclear submarines.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made statements during a call with journalists indicating that Russian leadership wasn’t looking to escalate tensions between the Kremlin and Washington, D.C.
Peskov said:
Russia maintains a responsible position regarding nuclear rhetoric and would prefer not to be drawn into discussion on the subject. The Kremlin does not believe there is any talk of any nuclear escalation now, it is a matter of emotional perception of the situation. Russia stands by the principle that no one can win a nuclear war.
The temperature rose significantly last Monday, July 28, after former Russian president and current deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev issued a warning in response to Trump’s decision to lower the deadline for Russia to make peace with Ukraine from 50 to “10 or 12” days before facing secondary sanctions. Medvedev said Russia was not Iran or Israel and that Trump can’t push the Kremlin around. Medvedev also said that every new ultimatum brings the two countries — America and Russia — “toward war.”
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he ordered two nuclear submarines in position near Russia “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”
During Monday’s attempts at de-escalation, Peskov also sought to minimize Medvedev’s influence on Russian foreign policy. He said:
Representatives of the Russian leadership, including Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, have different assessments of the situation, including harsh ones, however, Vladimir Putin as the president determines the country’s foreign policy.
Peskov also included a statement that appears to be an attempt to dismiss Trump’s announcement regarding nuclear submarines as rhetoric and bluster. He said, “US nuclear submarines are on combat duty regardless of politicians’ statements.” This is certainly true. The United States has military assets all over the world. On Sunday, Trump told reporters the submarines are “in the region.”
Peskov further said that Moscow wants to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war “through political and diplomatic means” and referred to American efforts to mediate peace as “crucial.” He made his statement just as Russian officials are set to meet with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.
To truly avoid American involvement in a potential nuclear confrontation with Russia, the United States should start by staying out of the region. As we’ve repeatedly pointed out, neither Ukraine or Russia pose a threat to America. Moreover, credible U.S. foreign policy experts have made strong cases that the Ukraine-Russia War is a result of U.S. and Western meddling in Eastern Europe. With so many challenges at home, it makes no sense for an administration that claims to be American First to preoccupy itself so much with the affairs of the two most corrupt nations in Europe.