URGENT UPDATE: Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on his residence, igniting furious reactions from former U.S. President Donald Trump. The claims, made during a phone call between the two leaders, have been swiftly denied by Ukrainian officials, escalating tensions amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
In a call earlier today, Putin, 73, told Trump, 79, that Ukraine “launched a terrorist attack” targeting his residence in the Novgorod region. Trump expressed his anger, stating he was “literally outraged” by the news and described the alleged attack as “crazy actions.” The Kremlin indicated that this incident could significantly affect U.S.-Ukraine relations as Trump emphasized the gravity of such an escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the claims as “another round of lies from the Russian Federation,” asserting that Russia aims to undermine negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. Zelensky, who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago just yesterday, suggested that Russia’s narrative is a tactic to sabotage progress in peace talks.
After the phone call, Trump told reporters he was “very angry” to hear about the supposed attack. He remarked that attacking Putin’s residence crosses a line, stating, “It is one thing to be offensive, but another to attack his house.” When pressed on whether U.S. intelligence had verified the attack, Trump conceded it was “possible” that it did not occur as claimed.
In a related statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that Russia successfully destroyed the drones intended for Putin’s residence, although no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim. It’s important to note that the Novgorod residence is not Putin’s primary home and is primarily used as a retreat.
The alarming exchange comes at a crucial time as U.S. and Ukrainian officials had been optimistic about finalizing a peace agreement aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump, during his 2024 presidential campaign, has vowed to resolve the conflict within 24 hours of taking office.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the fallout from this incident could reshape American foreign policy towards Ukraine. Observers are now closely monitoring how this confrontation will influence future negotiations. Zelensky’s comments reflect a broader concern that any disruption in U.S.-Ukraine relations could embolden Russia and hinder the search for peace.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
