Trump says alleged Ukrainian attack on Putin’s residence was ‘not good’

PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him in an early morning call that a Ukrainian drone attack targeted one of his residences.

Mr. Trump, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, expressed disapproval of the alleged attack.

“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Mr. Trump said, before conceding that it was “possible” the allegation was false and the attack did not occur. He then quickly added that Mr. Putin told him “it did” happen.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that a Ukrainian drone attack targeted one of Mr. Putin’s residences. Kyiv has denied the claim as “a complete fabrication.”

Mr. Lavrov said as a result of the attack, “Russia’s negotiating position will be revised” in the ongoing peace talks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. He said no damage or casualties came from the strike, but noted that the Russian military has selected targets for “retaliatory strikes.”

Mr. Lavrov also said that all 91 drones were shot down by Russian defenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Russia’s claims as a lie and noted that Moscow has offered no evidence to back the allegations. He also accused Russia of fabricating the attack to derail peace talks.

“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team. We keep working together to bring peace closer,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on X.

“Although the Russians are spreading fakes to justify their strikes on Ukraine and the further prolongation of this war, the world’s key intelligence services must have the real information,” he said.

The alleged attack happened one day after Mr. Zelenskyy met with Mr. Trump for three hours at Mar-a-Lago. The two leaders underscored that they are close to a peace deal, but acknowledged that several hurdles remain, which Mr. Trump described as “one or two thorny issues.”