Moscow: Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev urged Monday the US President Donald Trump not to forget that Moscow possesses Soviet-era nuclear capabilities which it has as a last resort, after Trump advised Medvedev to heed his words.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a Telegram post, Medvedev described Washington's threat to impose punitive tariffs on Moscow and its oil buyers as a "game of ultimatums" and a step closer to war between Russia and the US. He added that Trump's statement showed that Russia must continue its current policy. "If a few words from the former president of Russia can provoke such a jittery reaction from the mighty president of the United States, then Russia must be completely in the right. We'll keep moving forward on our own path."

Medvedev further pointed out that Trump should remember "just how dangerous the so-called 'Dead Hand'," referring to a secret Russian semi-automated command system designed to launch Moscow's nuclear missiles even in the event of a knockout blow from an enemy.

The US president sharply criticized Medvedev on his Truth Social media platform earlier today, stating: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!" This was his second warning in recent weeks.

Two days ago, Trump stated that Russia had 10 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs on it and its oil buyers.