Trump Dismisses Drone Attack Allegation Against Ukraine Amidst Ongoing Peace Talks

US President Donald Trump stated that after investigations into allegations from Russia, it has been determined that Ukraine did not target President Vladimir Putin’s residence with a drone attack. This statement came while Trump was aboard Air Force One, following a probe into claims made by Russian officials. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously accused Ukraine of launching a drone strike on Putin’s residence located in the northwestern Novgorod region. However, Trump contradicted these allegations, noting that US officials found no evidence indicating that Ukraine was responsible for targeting the Kremlin leader’s home, although he acknowledged that an incident did occur in the vicinity. Last week, Lavrov criticized Ukraine for what he termed an unjustified attack amid escalating global diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. This claim from Russia coincided with a recent visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Trump's residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The two leaders discussed the evolving 20-point peace plan proposed by the US for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy quickly denied the allegations from Russia, maintaining that Ukraine did not intend any aggression towards Putin’s residence. After investigating the incident, Trump stated, "I don’t believe that strike happened." This marked a reduction in his initial concern about the incident, which he described as deeply troubling when it first surfaced. Trump’s acknowledgment that something happened near Putin's residence marked a shift from his earlier stance, where he expressed anger over the flying accusations during a phone call with the Russian leader. Trump's skepticism about the drone attack allegation was reinforced when he shared a New York Post editorial on social media that questioned Russian claims and criticized Putin for propagating deceit at a critical juncture for peace. Despite this, Trump has faced challenges in meeting expectations to swiftly end the conflict, a promise he made upon entering office. His interactions with both Zelenskyy and Putin show a mix of irritation and persistence as he navigates diplomatic waters to promote peace. While both Trump and Zelenskyy reported progress in their discussions, Putin's stance remains steadfast, with reluctance to end the war until all of Russia's demands are met, including the control of Eastern Donbas and significant restrictions on Ukraine's military capabilities post-conflict. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2