President Volodymyr Zelensky has refuted Russia’s accusations that Ukraine executed a drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, and accused Moscow of attempting to upset peace negotiations.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, asserted that Kyiv carried out an offensive overnight with 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting Putin’s official residence in the northwestern Novgorod region of Russia.
Russia stated it would reassess its stance in peace talks. It remains unclear where Putin was during the purported strike.
Zelensky dismissed the assertion as “typical Russian fabrications”, aimed at providing the Kremlin with a pretext to persist with its assaults on Ukraine.
He noted that Russia had earlier attacked government structures in Kyiv.
Zelensky remarked on X: “It is essential for the world to speak out now. We must not let Russia obstruct the efforts towards lasting peace.”
In a statement released on Telegram on Monday, Lavrov mentioned all 91 drones he alleged were directed at Putin’s residence were intercepted and neutralized by Russian air defense systems.
He added that there were no reports of injuries or destruction as a result of the alleged assault.
“In light of the complete degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has adopted a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating stance will be amended,” he stated.
However, he indicated that Russia did not plan to withdraw from discussions with the US, according to reports from Russian news agency Tass.
This assertion from Moscow follows discussions between the US and Ukraine in Florida on Sunday, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky talked about a revised peace initiative to conclude the conflict.
After the meeting, Zelensky informed Fox News on Monday that there was a “chance to end this war” by 2026.
Nevertheless, he stated Ukraine could not achieve victory in the war without assistance from the US.
“My impression of President Trump’s sanctions and economic measures indicates that he’s prepared for very robust actions,” Zelensky noted. “In this situation, the United States can accelerate the path to peace.”
The Ukrainian leader told Fox News that there were no signs that Putin desired peace and he expressed distrust towards Putin.
“I don’t trust Putin, and he does not wish for Ukraine’s success,” Zelensky asserted.
Zelensky mentioned that the US had extended security assurances to Ukraine for 15 years, and Trump stated that an agreement on this matter was “nearly 95%” finalized.
The Ukrainian leader identified territorial disputes and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility as the remaining unresolved issues, with little indication of advancement concerning the future of Ukraine’s disputed Donbas region – which Russia seeks to fully control.
At present, Moscow governs approximately 75% of the Donetsk region, and nearly 99% of the adjacent Luhansk. Both regions are referred to collectively as Donbas.
Russia has previously dismissed essential components of the plan currently being discussed.
On Monday, the White House announced that President Trump had “concluded a constructive call” with Putin after the US-Ukraine discussions.
Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to the Kremlin, informed reporters on Monday that during the call, Putin had highlighted that the alleged attack on his residence occurred “almost immediately after what the US deemed a fruitful round of talks.”
Ushakov stated: “The US president was taken aback by this information, he was upset and remarked he couldn’t fathom such irrational actions. It was indicated that this would undoubtedly influence the US strategy in collaborating with Zelensky.”
During a subsequent press conference, Trump initially seemed unaware of the alleged incident, but later informed reporters that Putin had briefed him on it and he was “very upset” regarding the matter.
When asked if the US had observed any proof supporting Russia’s assertion, he replied: “Well, we’ll see. You’re suggesting it’s possible the assault didn’t occur – that’s conceivable too, I suppose. But President Putin told me this morning it did.”
