Trump Issues Stark Warning to Putin After Russia Tests ‘Flying Chernobyl’ Missile
President Donald Trump delivered a direct and chilling message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, warning that the United States is not intimidated by Moscow’s latest nuclear saber-rattling.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One ahead of his trip to Japan, Trump responded forcefully to Putin’s boast about Russia’s new “invincible” nuclear-powered missile — which completed an 8,700-mile, 15-hour test flight over the weekend. The missile, dubbed a “flying Chernobyl” due to its nuclear propulsion system, is designed to strike targets anywhere on the planet, including the U.S.
“They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shore,” Trump said. “They’re not playing games with us. We’re not playing games with them either.”
Trump to Putin: End the War — or Face Consequences
Trump also renewed his call for Putin to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on for nearly four years.
“I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying,” Trump said, referring to the missile test. “By the way, he ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its, soon, fourth year.”
The Biden administration had failed to contain the conflict. But under Trump, U.S. posture toward Moscow has hardened — not through endless wars, but through strength, deterrence, and targeted economic warfare.
Zelensky Responds: Trump’s Sanctions ‘Make a Difference’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Trump’s latest sanctions on Russia, which went into effect last week. He praised the measures as impactful but urged the U.S. to go even further.
“President Trump is concerned about escalation. But I think that if there are no negotiations, there will be an escalation anyway,” Zelensky told Axios. “If Putin doesn’t stop, we need something to stop him. Sanctions is one such weapon, but we also need long-range missiles.”
Zelensky has been lobbying the Trump administration for enhanced weapons deliveries to tip the balance of power and force Russia to the table. While Trump has remained cautious about expanding America’s role in Ukraine’s battlefield decisions, he has not ruled out further aid — if it serves American interests and leads to a negotiated peace.
Russia’s Missile Test Raises Global Alarm
Putin’s announcement on Sunday was widely viewed as a provocation aimed at the West. The newly tested missile is part of Russia’s next-generation strategic arsenal and represents a dramatic escalation in nuclear posturing. Moscow claims the system can remain airborne indefinitely and evade all existing missile defenses.
U.S. defense officials have referred to the program as deeply unstable and dangerous, warning that any malfunction of a nuclear-powered cruise missile could result in radioactive fallout — hence the “flying Chernobyl” moniker.
Strategic Deterrence Returns Under Trump
Trump’s comments serve as a stark reminder that America’s nuclear posture has changed since his return to office. Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon has accelerated investments in submarine-launched deterrents, cyber defense, and hypersonic strike systems.
While Trump has repeatedly said he wants peace, he’s made clear that peace comes through strength.
With nuclear tensions rising and Russia flaunting new weapons, Trump’s warning sends a message heard around the world: America is watching, locked and loaded, and ready to respond.