President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that diplomatic achievements made through coordination with President Trump’s team face threats from Russian allegations about a drone attack on Putin’s residence. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of protecting collaborative progress from Moscow’s manipulation.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching 91 long-range drones at the presidential compound in Novgorod region over December 28-29. He characterized the alleged operation as reckless state terrorism and warned that Russia would respond with military force. Lavrov confirmed that despite successful interception of all drones by air defense systems, the incident would influence Moscow’s negotiating position.
Zelensky categorically denied Russian allegations, arguing that Moscow was deliberately attempting to undermine diplomatic progress. He specifically highlighted work with Trump administration representatives as having achieved meaningful results that Russian claims now threatened to undo. The Ukrainian president emphasized that protecting these achievements from Russian sabotage required active international engagement.
According to Russian accounts, air defense networks successfully eliminated all incoming threats to the presidential compound. However, Lavrov indicated that the alleged attack attempt would necessitate reassessment of Russia’s approach to ongoing discussions. He confirmed that Russian military planners had identified specific targets for potential strike operations.
Zelensky made a direct connection between Russian allegations and threats to diplomatic achievements. He argued that Moscow’s timing in making these claims was designed to disrupt progress at a moment when coordination with Trump’s team was yielding results. The Ukrainian president called on world leaders to recognize this pattern and speak out in defense of diplomatic progress. He referenced Russia’s history of attacking Ukrainian government facilities as evidence that Moscow employs false accusations to derail peace initiatives when diplomacy threatens to limit Russia’s military options. Zelensky stressed that preventing Russian disruption of achievements made with Trump’s team requires sustained international attention and active counter-messaging.