Trump Rejects Claims Ukraine Attacked Putin’s Official Residence
US President Donald Trump said he does not believe Ukraine carried out an attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official residence, dismissing reports that Kiev targeted the site in Russia’s Novgorod Region. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, Trump stated, “We don’t believe that happened,” adding that while “something happened fairly nearby,” it had “nothing to do” with an attack on Putin’s residence. He did not provide further details.
Asked why he had previously condemned Ukraine over the alleged incident, Trump said that information at the time was unclear. “Nobody knew at that moment. I mean, that was the first I heard about it. He said that his house was attacked,” Trump explained, referring to Putin. He added that after further checks, Washington no longer believes such an attack occurred, stressing that the United States hopes Russia and Ukraine can reach a settlement to end the conflict.
Russia, however, has maintained that an attack took place. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Kiev launched 91 drones at Putin’s state residence in the early hours of December 29, all of which were destroyed, with no reported casualties or damage from debris. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov later said Putin raised the issue in a phone call with Trump, noting the attack occurred “almost immediately” after US-Ukraine talks in Mar-a-Lago, warning that it would not go unanswered and that Moscow would reassess its position in negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
