U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine instead of conducting nuclear-powered missile tests, warning that the United States maintains unmatched nuclear capabilities, including a submarine positioned near Russia’s coast.
Trump’s remarks came after Putin announced on Sunday that Russia had successfully tested its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which Moscow claims can penetrate any missile defense system and reach distances of up to 14,000 kilometers.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Japan, Trump directly addressed the Russian leader:
“You need to end the war — a war that should have lasted a week is now in its fourth year. That’s what you should be doing instead of testing missiles,” Trump said.
The U.S. president emphasized that Washington does not need to showcase its power, as its deterrence capabilities are already well known.
“They know we have a nuclear submarine — the best in the world — right off their shores. There’s no need to go 8,000 miles,” he added, according to Reuters.
Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to bring the Ukraine conflict — the deadliest war in Europe since World War II — to an end. However, he acknowledged that achieving peace in Ukraine has proven to be more difficult than securing a ceasefire in Gaza or resolving the India–Pakistan conflict.
