[Report by Soo Yin-ki] Trump and Medvedev have clashed in the air. According to reports from Reuters, TASS, and other media outlets, U.S. President Donald Trump took to his social media platform early Thursday (July 31) Eastern Time to name Russian Security Council Vice Chairman and former President Vladimir Putin, reminding him “to be careful with words.” Putin then responded, stating that Trump’s anxiety indicates Russia has done right.
Trump’s image source: American media
The report states that Trump began by criticizing Russia and India for their “deadly economy” and claimed that trade between the two countries is minimal. He then targeted Putin, labeling him as “the failed former president of Russia” and cautioning him to “be careful with words. He is entering a very dangerous realm!”
Putin replied to Trump’s post on social media platform “Telegram” later that evening. He stated that Trump’s remarks indicate Russia should continue its current policy direction. If a “former president of Russia” could cause such a reaction from the President of the United States, it means “everything Russia does is correct, and Russia will continue on its own path.”
Putin’s image source: Russian media
“Regarding the so-called ‘deadly economy’ of India and Russia, and the warning about ‘entering a dangerous realm,’ perhaps he should recall his favorite movie about ‘walking corpses,’ think about how dangerous ‘Death’s Hand’ is, even though this hand doesn’t exist in nature,” continued Putin, ending his post with a “crying laughing” emoji.
The “Death’s Hand” mentioned by Putin refers to the Soviet Union’s “Zhorodnyi” automatic nuclear retaliation system. The system, named after the word “Zhorodnyi,” is a comprehensive automatic control system developed during the Cold War to counteract the U.S. nuclear deterrence. As a last defense against an invader, it was referred to by the West as “Death’s Hand.” The system was put into combat operations in January 1985, aiming to automatically launch nuclear missiles against enemies when all command personnel and centers were destroyed.
As for the reasons behind the “tonk battle” between Trump and Putin, foreign media did not specify. However, both mentioned that before this round of verbal confrontation, Trump had stated in Britain on the 28th that he was considering shortening the 50-day deadline set for reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. In response to questions, he said, “I intend to set a new deadline starting today, around 10 to 12 days. There’s no reason to wait anymore… We simply can’t see any progress.” Regarding Trump’s statement, Putin replied on social media platform X on the same evening, saying Trump was “playing a game of final demand with Russia.” Putin stated, “Every new final demand is a threat, a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but between (Russia) and its own country.”