WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumpsays the nuclear submarineshe said he was deployingin response to threatening comments from Russia's former president are "in the region." Trump also signaled that he's preparing to hit Moscowwith economic sanctionsover its war against Ukraine. "I've already put out a statement, the answer is, they are in the region," Trump told reporters traveling with him in New Jersey before he boarded Air Force One. Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to the "appropriate region" on Aug. 1 after former Russian President Dmitry Medvedevreferenced Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilitiesin a social media post that heightened tension with the U.S. leader. The dispute stemmed from Trump's ultimatum to Russia last month: make peace with Ukraine orbrace for sanctions and secondary tariffsaimed at choking off the country's oil revenue. He gave Russian PresidentVladimir Putina 50 day-deadline, whichhe later revisedto Aug. 8. Trump offers Putin an ultimatum:Senate pressure builds to sanction Russia The president told reporters on Aug. 3 that if the deadline arrives and Russia has not agreed to a ceasefire, "there'll be sanctions." "But they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," he added. "You know, they're wily characters. ... So we'll see what happens." Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff had been expected to visit Russia before the deadline, but the president signaled to reporters that trip had not yet taken place. He said Witkoff is currently focusedon addressing starvation in Gaza, but could go to Russia later in the week. Trump says he ordered 2 nuclear subs:They're heading to 'appropriate regions' after Russia nuclear threats The president stressed the need for a deal in Ukraine in which people stop being killed. "And now we're adding towns, where they're being hit by missiles," Trump said. Medvedevserves asdeputy chairman of Russia's Security Council. He said in a July 28post on Xthat Trump should remember that "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country." Trump hit back in a Truth Social post that said: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!" After Medvedev said Trump should remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be," in a post on the messaging app Telegram that referenced the Soviet Union's doomsday nuclear system, the U.S. president said he would reposition the submarines. Calling the comments "highly provocative," Trump said on Truth Social that he was taking action, "just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump deploys nuclear submarines amid tension with Russia