Overview
- President Trump publicly doubted Russia’s assertion that dozens of Ukrainian drones targeted Putin’s Valdai residence and shared a New York Post article accusing the Kremlin of trying to derail peace efforts.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered no public evidence for the allegation, and Russian figures shifted from a defense ministry report of 41 drones over Novgorod region to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s claim of 91 near the residence.
- U.S. officials determined Ukraine was not aiming at Putin or his homes during the recent drone activity, providing an official counterpoint to Moscow’s narrative.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky denied any strike on Putin’s residence and, in his New Year address, said Ukraine seeks peace without sacrificing statehood.
- Zelensky urged partners to tighten sanctions and supply more weapons, saying Tomahawk-class missiles in Ukrainian hands would demonstrate that peace has no alternative, and noted readiness to advance peace documents in January.