Overview
- Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump said, “We don’t believe that happened,” after officials reviewed Russia’s allegation of a Ukrainian drone strike on a Putin residence.
- Trump had initially voiced anger after a call with Vladimir Putin, then reversed course in subsequent days as U.S. checks and allied assessments cast doubt on Moscow’s account.
- European and Ukrainian officials characterized the Russian claim as an effort to disrupt U.S.-backed peace efforts, and Moscow signaled it would toughen its negotiating posture.
- Trump has lately expressed frustration with Putin over the war, saying he is “killing too many people,” as Washington works with Kyiv on a revised 20-point framework for a potential deal.
- The conflict continues on the ground, with Ukrainian authorities reporting two civilians killed in the Kyiv region in the first such fatalities of 2026 during overnight Russian strikes.