Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday rejected Russia’s claim that Kyiv had targeted Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s residence with drones, calling it a lie aimed at justifying fresh attacks on Ukraine.
“Russia at it again,” Zelenskyy said, accusing Moscow of using dangerous statements to undermine diplomatic efforts, adding that the claim was a “lie” to justify fresh strikes on Kyiv.
“Another lie from the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy told journalists, according to AFP.
“They’re simply preparing the ground to carry out strikes, probably on the capital and probably on government buildings.”
Warning of possible escalation, he said everyone needed to remain alert. “A strike on the capital may be carried out, especially since this person (Putin) said they will choose corresponding targets,” he added.
Moscow had earlier accused Ukraine of launching drones at Putin’s residence and said it would “revise” its negotiating position on ending the war.
Reacting on X, Zelenskyy described the claim as “typical Russian lies” and said Ukraine does not take steps that undermine diplomacy, unlike Russia.
He further urged the international community not to remain silent.
“We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace,” his post said.
Reacting to the development, US President Donald Trump on Monday criticized the alleged attack, saying it was "not the right time".
"You know who told me about it? President Putin, early in the morning, he said he was attacked. It's no good," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, adding that he was "very angry about it."
"It's a delicate period of time. This is not the right time. It's one thing to be offensive because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that."
Meanwhile, Trump held what his team described as a “positive” phone call with Putin on Monday.
The call came a day after Trump met Zelenskyy in Florida.
In a post on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had concluded a positive conversation with Putin on Ukraine.
Trump and Putin had also spoken by phone ahead of Trump’s meeting with the Ukrainian leader.
After the meeting, Trump said Ukraine and Russia were “closer than ever before” to a peace deal, but acknowledged that negotiations remained complex and could still collapse, prolonging the war.