US President Donald Trump says he does not believe Ukraine targeted Vladimir Putin’s residence, casting doubt on Russian claims amid ongoing diplomacy
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence was attacked by Ukrainian drones.
“I don’t believe that strike happened,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s question aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
He noted that “nobody knew at that moment” whether the initial report from the Kremlin was true.
Last week, Russia’s defence ministry published a video of a downed drone it claimed Ukraine had launched at Putin’s home in the Novgorod region.
The ministry stated the property was not damaged and that the leader was elsewhere at the time.
The accusation emerged as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war were gaining momentum.
It also coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s travel to Florida for a meeting with Trump.
Russian officials criticised Ukraine as being insincere in its diplomatic efforts following the alleged incident.
Kyiv and its Western allies have disputed that any such attack occurred.
Trump acknowledged that “something” happened near Putin’s residence but said American officials did not believe it was a Ukrainian target after reviewing evidence.
Zelensky has blamed Russia for carrying the war “into the New Year” with a series of deadly bombardments.
A countrywide air raid siren was issued in Ukraine early Monday morning.
Authorities reported attacks on the Kyiv region that killed at least two people.
According to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War, Russia made bigger advances on the battlefield last year than in any other since its 2022 invasion.
European leaders are expected to convene in France on Tuesday for further talks on a US-backed peace plan.
Zelensky has stated the plan to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II is “90% ready”.
