Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Condemned for Alleged Fabrication of Putin Residence Attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that Kyiv is discussing with Washington a potential U.S. troop presence in Ukraine as part of security guarantees and raised what he described as a fabricated attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence.

Zelenskyy, speaking in a WhatsApp chat, emphasized Kyiv’s commitment to ongoing peace negotiations aimed at ending the conflict initiated by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion and expressed willingness to meet with Putin in any format.

U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that he and Zelenskyy were “maybe very close” to an agreement to end the war, though he cautioned that territorial disputes remain unresolved. Trump indicated they were 95% of the way to security guarantees, with European nations expected to play a significant role under U.S. support.

Russia responded by alleging that Kyiv targeted one of Putin’s presidential residences in the Novgorod region using 91 long-range drones—a claim Ukraine dismissed as baseless and intended to derail peace talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov labeled the alleged attack “state terrorism” and vowed retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian targets.

Zelenskyy condemned the accusation, stating it was a deliberate fabrication designed to justify further attacks on Ukraine and Russia’s refusal to take necessary steps to end the war. A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the lack of evidence supporting Moscow’s claim, noting that “Ukraine and its partners are committed to peace while Russia continues its war.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested U.S. security guarantees could lead to peace within weeks but warned that territorial issues remain unresolved. Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes intensified in Ukraine’s Odesa region, targeting port infrastructure critical for the nation’s trade and economy.

Ukrainian military analysts reported a rise in sea drone operations against Russian sanctions-busting shadow fleets, actions criticized as undermining diplomatic efforts to end hostilities.