According to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russians are trying by all means to sabotage progress in talks between Ukraine and the United States.Image: keystone
While Ukraine denies the alleged drone attack on Putin’s residence, Donald Trump appears to believe the Russian claim.
December 30, 2025, 07:26December 30, 2025, 07:26
US President Donald Trump criticizes the alleged Ukrainian attack on a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “This is not good,” Trump said after confirming that he had been informed about it by Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s accusations. They are an excuse to continue the war and to attack government buildings in Kiev again.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the Kremlin hopes the United States will understand that Russia is reconsidering its position in the negotiations after the alleged terrorist attack on Putin’s estate. According to Russian media, it is Putin’s Valdai residence, which is located in the Novgorod region between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Putin is said to often spend his weekends there with his family. Residences are available for the Russian president in many parts of the largest country in the world.
The current developments surrounding the Ukraine war in the ticker:
Former Russian President and Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Platform X that Zelensky would now have to hide for the rest of his life. Zelensky is trying to prevent an agreement to end the conflict. “He wants war,” claimed Medvedev. Zelensky, on the other hand, repeatedly emphasizes that his country strives for peace like no other.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov first made the attempted “terrorist attack” public on Monday. He spoke of 91 Ukrainian drones with longer ranges that Russia’s air defense had shot down. According to Lavrov, nothing was known about any damage or injuries. Lavrov also announced retaliatory strikes by Moscow in Kyiv. He didn’t give any details.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced in the evening that the drones had been “neutralized” over the Bryansk, Smolensk and Novgorod regions. The information could not be independently verified.
Russian adviser: Trump was shocked
Ushakov claimed that Trump was “shocked” by Putin’s descriptions. “In view of the state terrorism carried out by Kiev, the Russian side cannot act differently,” he emphasized, referring to the statement that Russia is now reviewing its position in the peace negotiations. “This was expressed very clearly,” Ushakov said. At the same time, Putin emphasized “that the Russian side wants to continue to work closely and fruitfully with its American partners in order to find paths to peace.”
Putin advisor Yuri UshakovImage: keystone
Trump is criticized from his own camp
Trump confirmed that Putin had informed him about the alleged drone attack. In this context, he pointed out that in October he had not approved the release of tomahawk weapons that Ukraine had requested. The cruise missile has a long range and could have enabled Ukraine to fire it deep into the Russian hinterland. The US President said: It is one thing to be offensive because they (Russia) have been offensive.
“But it’s another thing to attack your house.”
Trump received criticism for his statements from his own camp. Republican Congressman Don Bacon, a former Air Force general and Defense Committee member, wrote on Platform X:
“President Trump and his team should first learn the facts before assigning blame. Putin is known for blatantly lying.”
Zelensky had negotiated with Trump in the USA on Sunday about ending the war, without any tangible result. «It is clear that we had a meeting with Trump yesterday and it is clear that if there is no scandal between us and America, but we make progress, it is a failure for the Russians. “They don’t want to end this war,” said Zelensky. He called for renewed pressure on Russia to end the war.
Ukraine has repeatedly defended itself against Moscow’s war of aggression, which has been going on for almost four years, with drone attacks on Russian targets. At the beginning of the war, Russian forces advanced into Kiev and also attacked government buildings. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russians have already made three attempts to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky. (sda/dpa/con)