Mon Jan 05 03:04:47 UTC 2026: Summary:

President Trump has retracted his initial concern over Russia’s claim that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence in a drone attack. U.S. officials have investigated and determined that Ukraine did not directly target the residence. This comes after Lavrov’s accusations and Zelenskyy’s denial, amidst ongoing peace negotiations. Trump’s shift in stance follows pressure from European officials who believe the Russian claim is a tactic to undermine peace efforts. This development unfolds as Trump struggles to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine, facing resistance from Putin regarding Russia’s territorial and military objectives.

News Article:

U.S. Disproves Russian Claim of Ukrainian Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence

Washington D.C. – January 5, 2026 – President Donald Trump has stated that U.S. officials have found no evidence to support Russia’s claim that Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin’s residence in a drone attack. This contradicts earlier statements where Trump expressed concern over the allegations made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who claimed Ukraine launched drones at Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region last week.

The accusation surfaced shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Trump in Florida to discuss the U.S. administration’s 20-point plan for ending the war. Zelenskyy denied the attack.

“We don’t believe that happened, now that we’ve been able to check,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

The U.S. determination follows pressure from European officials who believe Russia is attempting to undermine ongoing peace negotiations. Trump had initially taken the Russian allegations seriously, expressing anger after a phone call with Putin. However, he later downplayed the claims, sharing a social media post questioning their validity.

This development highlights the challenges Trump faces in mediating an end to the war in Ukraine. While both Trump and Zelenskyy reported progress in their recent talks, Putin remains firm on achieving Russia’s objectives, including control over the Donbas region and restrictions on Ukraine’s military.

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