On Monday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of targeting President Vladimir Putin’s residence with a drone strike. This allegation was swiftly dismissed by Ukrainian officials. The incident was purportedly linked to tensions surrounding peace negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Accusations of Drone Attack
Lavrov stated that the alleged drone attack took place in the Novgorod region. He mentioned that there were no reported damages or casualties. However, he indicated that the Russian military had designated specific targets for potential retaliatory strikes. Lavrov highlighted that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted 91 drones recently.
Impact on Peace Negotiations
Despite the drone allegations, Lavrov reassured that Russia would not withdraw from negotiations concerning the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia’s position in these discussions would be reassessed due to the incident.
Ukrainian Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly refuted the drone attack claims, calling them “a complete fabrication.” He noted the timing of the accusation, which followed a lengthy meeting he had with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Although their talks did not yield significant advancements, Zelensky mentioned an agreement for a 15-year U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, with possible extensions.
Statements from Zelensky
Zelensky criticized Russia’s tactics, suggesting they aimed to derail diplomatic efforts. He remarked, “Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts.” This underscores the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Recent Diplomatic Developments
Coincidentally, on the same day, the White House announced that Trump had a “positive call” with Putin regarding Ukraine. Details about this conversation were not disclosed.
This situation continues to evolve, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
