Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia may strike government buildings in Kyiv to breach the US-Ukraine peace process after a meeting with US President Donald Trump. He emphasized that the world must not remain silent and that Russia should not derail the path toward peace.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that on the night of 29 December, Ukraine allegedly tried to attack Putin’s residence in the Novgorod Oblast with drones. Lavrov added that Russia’s negotiating position would be revised after this alleged attack.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia fabricated “the obviously fake story about a supposed attack on a Russian dictator’s residence” to justify continued strikes on Ukraine, including Kyiv, Suspilne reports.
The Kremlin provided no visual evidence but claimed no damage or casualties occurred. Lavrov has also stated that Russia had identified targets for potential retaliatory strikes.
Russia finds a way for a post-talks escalation
Lavrov has stated that Russian forces intercepted 91 drones allegedly attempting to attack Putin’s official residence. Zelenskyy dismissed the Kremlin’s claims and linked them to successful diplomatic talks in Mar-a-Lago, arguing that Moscow is creating an information background for escalation.
“The Russians do not want to end this war. By claiming a residence was attacked, they are preparing the ground to strike the capital and government buildings,” Zelenskyy said.
He has also reminded Ukrainians of the September missile strike on the Cabinet of Ministers building and urged caution regarding alerts in the coming days.
Official Russian numbers also contradict Lavrov's statements. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that initially 18 drones were shot down over Novgorod, followed by another 23 drones.
Trump allegedly “shocked and outraged”
Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Ushakov says Russian President Vladimir Putin told Trump that Russia would continue cooperation with the US for peace, but would revise its position on certain agreements with the US.
Putin reportedly said that Ukraine’s “terrorist” actions would not go unanswered, and some results achieved by Trump and Zelenskyy “leave Ukraine the option to evade its obligations.”
