Putin Informs Trump of Drone Strike on His Residence During Phone Call
Trump: "I Don't Like the Attack... The Conversation Was Very Productive"
President Donald Trump of the United States commented that it was "not good" regarding Ukraine's alleged attempt to carry out a drone attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. As President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have raised expectations for progress in ceasefire negotiations, concerns are emerging that Russia's claim of a drone strike could become a variable in the negotiation process.
On the 29th (local time), ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump was asked by reporters about the drone attack and replied, "I don't like it." President Trump said that he had spoken directly with President Putin about the attack during a call that morning and that Putin was "very angry." He added, "Now is not the right time to attack Russia. While they (Russia) are continuing their offensive and Ukraine could also go on the offensive, attacking President Putin's home is a completely different matter. Now is not the right time for such an attack."
According to TASS and RIA Novosti, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told local reporters that Ukraine had attempted a long-range drone attack on President Putin's residence in Novgorod Oblast. Minister Lavrov explained that during the night of the 28th to the 29th, Ukraine launched 91 drones toward President Putin's residence, but the Russian military's air defense system shot down all the drones. He also stated that, considering Ukraine's shift to a "state terrorism" policy, Russia would reconsider its position on negotiations.
Minister Lavrov said that the drone attack was attempted while Russia and the United States were engaged in intensive negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict, and warned, "Such reckless actions will not go unanswered." He added that the Russian military had already determined the targets and timing for retaliatory strikes within Ukraine.
On the other hand, Ukraine accused Russia of lying. President Zelensky criticized, "Russia is trying to undermine the progress made by Ukraine and the United States in peace negotiations." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also stated, "Russia's claims are fabricated to create a pretext and false justification for further attacks on Ukraine and to undermine and disrupt the peace process," and added, "We urge the international community to condemn Russia's provocative statements aimed at disrupting a constructive peace process."
Meanwhile, President Trump described his call with President Putin as "a very productive conversation." He said, "We have a few issues to resolve, and once those are addressed, you will have peace." Previously, President Trump had revealed that he had a "productive and good" call with President Putin before his meeting with President Zelensky the previous day.
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