UPDATE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fiercely denied accusations of involvement in an alleged drone attack on Vladimir Putin‘s private residence, calling the claims “typical Russian lies.” This urgent statement comes in the wake of rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, following reports of the incident near Novgorod, south of St. Petersburg.
In a meeting at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his concern over the situation. Just a day after welcoming Zelensky, Trump said he was “shocked” to learn of the alleged attack from Putin himself. “It’s a delicate period of time. This is not the right time,” Trump stated, emphasizing the need for caution amidst ongoing negotiations.
Zelensky responded emphatically, asserting that the drone strike narrative is a fabrication aimed at undermining diplomatic efforts with the U.S. “This alleged ‘residence strike’ story is a complete fabrication,” he declared. His comments came after a critical two-hour meeting with Trump, where they discussed the escalating conflict and potential pathways to peace.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov noted that Putin is reconsidering his approach to peace talks with the U.S. in light of this incident. “Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,” warned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who claimed that the attempted strike would affect Russia’s negotiating stance.
The situation is rapidly evolving, with Zelensky cautioning that an assault on a major government facility in Kyiv is likely, reminiscent of Russia’s previous attacks. He urged the international community to recognize the dangerous implications of Russia’s rhetoric.
As tensions mount, all eyes are on the Kremlin’s next moves. Trump’s diplomatic discussions with Putin, described as “very productive,” highlight the high stakes involved. “We have a couple of issues that we’re going to get resolved, hopefully, and if we get them resolved, you’re going to have peace,” Trump emphasized.
This urgent development underscores the fragile nature of peace negotiations in the region. With both nations navigating a complex web of allegations, the world watches intently as the conflict continues to unfold. Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking story.
