At a Glance
- U.S. officials say Ukraine didn’t target Putin’s residence in last week’s drone attack, contradicting Russian claims.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching drones at the residence.
- President Donald Trump disputes the claim, saying no strike was found.
- Why it matters: The dispute highlights tensions over Ukraine’s role in ongoing war negotiations.
In a Sunday briefing, Donald Trump told reporters that U.S. officials had determined that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s residence in a drone attack last week, challenging claims made by Russian officials. The claim came after Sergey Lavrov accused Kyiv of a drone wave aimed at the Novgorod residence during intense peace talks, and after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had just visited Florida to discuss a 20-point war-ending plan.
U.S. Determination
Trump said “something happened nearby” Putin’s residence but officials found no target. He stated:
> “I don’t believe that strike happened,”
> “We don’t believe that happened, now that we’ve been able to check.”
This came after European officials said the Russian claim was an attempt to undermine peace efforts.
Russian Accusation
Lavrov said Ukraine launched a wave of drones at Putin’s state residence in Novgorod and that Russian defense systems defeated them. He criticized Kyiv for attacking during negotiations. Zelenskyy denied the allegation the next day.
- Lavrov’s claim
- Defense systems’ success
- Criticism of Kyiv
- Zelenskyy’s denial
Trump’s Evolving Response
Initially, Trump appeared to accept the Russian allegations, saying he was “very angry” and that Putin had raised the issue on a phone call. By Wednesday, he downplayed the claim, sharing a link to an editorial in New York Post that cast doubt on the allegation and criticized Putin for “lies, hatred, and death.” The editorial called the timing “closer than ever before” to a possible deal.
Broader Context
Trump has struggled to fulfill his pledge to end the war quickly, showing irritation with both Zelenskyy and Putin. Both leaders reported progress in talks at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, but Putin remains focused on achieving full control of Ukrainian territory and limiting Ukraine’s post-war military capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. officials found no evidence that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence.
- Russian claims were challenged by U.S. officials and Trump.
- Trump’s stance shifted from anger to downplaying the allegation.
The dispute underscores the fragile nature of peace negotiations and the high stakes for all parties involved.
