Former US President Donald Trump has revealed he is 'very angry' over explosive Russian allegations that Ukraine attempted to strike President Vladimir Putin's private residence. The claims, which Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has vehemently denounced as 'typical Russian lies,' threaten to derail fragile peace negotiations that Trump is attempting to broker.
The Conflicting Claims and Trump's Reaction
The diplomatic firestorm erupted on Monday, 29 December 2025. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that Ukraine had launched 91 long-range drones in an attack targeting Putin's home in the Novgorod region. Moscow's own defence ministry, however, stated that around 40 drones were intercepted over the President's oblast that day.
Donald Trump, who hosted President Zelensky in Florida just a day earlier, learned of the incident directly from the Russian leader. 'You know who told me about it? President Putin told me about it early in the morning,' Trump told reporters. He added, 'I was very angry about it. It's one thing to be offensive, it's another thing to attack his house.'
When pressed on whether there was evidence for the strike, Trump responded, 'Well, we will find out... But President Putin told me this morning it did.' This conversation occurred during what the White House described as a 'positive call' about the war, according to press secretary Karolive Leavitt.
Zelensky's Rebuttal and Peace Deal in Jeopardy
President Volodymyr Zelensky wasted no time in dismissing the allegations as a dangerous fabrication. In a post on X, he accused Russia of 'using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts' with Trump's team.
Zelensky argued the story was invented to 'justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv' and to provide cover for Russia's refusal to take steps to end the conflict. He reminded the world that Russia has previously targeted Ukrainian government buildings, while 'Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy.'
The repercussions for peace talks appear immediate and severe. Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, warned the alleged attack 'certainly will not be left without a serious response' and stated Moscow would now review its negotiating position.
Security Guarantees and an Uncertain Path Forward
The incident casts a long shadow over recent diplomatic progress. Just on Sunday, Trump had insisted Ukraine and Russia were 'closer than ever before' to a settlement following his meeting with Zelensky. As part of proposed terms, Trump indicated he would consider offering Ukraine security guarantees for a period of 15 years.
However, President Zelensky has expressed a desire for a much longer American commitment, seeking assurances lasting up to 50 years to deter future Russian aggression. The latest claims from the Kremlin now place these delicate discussions in serious doubt, creating a fresh crisis of trust at a critical juncture.
Zelensky issued a stark warning to the international community: 'It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace.' The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for the alleged attack on Putin's home—real or fabricated—to escalate the conflict and shatter hopes for a near-term resolution.
