Trump Says Putin Claimed Ukraine Tried to Strike His Russian Residence

By Ginika Igboke

President Donald Trump said on Dec. 29 that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him earlier Monday that Ukraine had attempted to strike his residence in the Russian city of Novgorod.

“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump told reporters after welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. “President Putin told me about it early in the morning. He said he was attacked. It’s no good.”

Trump described the moment as a “delicate period” as the United States continues negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

“It’s one thing to be offensive because they’re offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house,” Trump said. “It’s not the right time to do any of that, and can’t do it.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed earlier Monday that Ukrainian forces attempted to strike Putin’s residence using 91 drones. Speaking through the state-run news agency TASS, Lavrov said all the drones were intercepted, accused Ukraine of “state terrorism,” and said Russian forces had already identified targets for retaliatory strikes.

The reported incident comes as talks continue over a possible resolution to the war in Ukraine. Lavrov said Russia would remain engaged in negotiations, though Moscow’s position is now under review.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the claims, accusing Lavrov of fabricating the story to justify prolonging the conflict that began when Putin ordered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. He described the alleged strike as “a complete fabrication” intended to justify further attacks on Ukraine, including Kyiv, and to avoid taking steps toward ending the war.

Zelenskyy also noted that Russia has previously targeted Kyiv, including the Cabinet of Ministers building, and said Ukraine would not take actions that undermine diplomacy.

“To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps,” he said.

The day before, Zelenskyy met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a potential plan to end the conflict. Trump expressed optimism afterward, saying, “We’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” to reaching an agreement.