At a Glance
- Trump says Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence in last week’s drone attack.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Ukraine launched drones at Putin’s Novgorod residence.
- Trump’s stance shifted from anger to downplaying the claim.
- Why it matters: The U.S. stance clarifies international claims amid ongoing war negotiations.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that U.S. officials had ruled out a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence, contradicting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s earlier statements and revealing a shift in Trump’s position amid peace talks.
Background of the Allegation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine launched a wave of drones at Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region and that Russian defense systems defeated them. He criticized Kyiv for striking at a time of intensive negotiations to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had just traveled to Florida for talks with Trump on a 20-point plan and quickly denied the Kremlin allegation.
Trump’s Statements
President Donald Trump said “something happened nearby” Putin’s residence but that U.S. officials found the residence was not targeted.
President Trump stated:
> “I don’t believe that strike happened,” after checking.
Earlier on Monday he said he was “very angry” about the accusation. By Wednesday he posted a link to a New York Post editorial that questioned the Russian claim.
Diplomatic Context
European officials argued that the Russian claim was an effort to undermine the peace effort. Trump’s mediation has been strained by his irritation with both Zelenskyy and Putin as he tries to move toward a deal.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. officials found no evidence Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence.
- Russian Foreign Minister’s claim was disputed by U.S. and Ukrainian statements.
- Trump’s position shifted from anger to downplaying the allegation.
The U.S. stance may influence ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.
