U.S. President Donald Trump sparked international attention on December 30, 2025, after claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin informed him of an alleged Ukrainian drone strike targeting Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region. The remarks came during a press briefing in Florida ahead of Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as global efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict continue.
Trump told reporters he felt “very angry” about the incident but acknowledged uncertainty: “You’re saying maybe the attack didn’t take place. It’s possible, too, I guess. But President Putin told me this morning it did.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly denied the accusation, labeling it “another lie from the Russian Federation.”
The exchange underscores heightened tensions in 2025, with diplomatic channels strained amid unverified claims. Analysts suggest the incident could complicate ongoing peace negotiations, which have gained renewed urgency this year following sporadic escalations in eastern Ukraine.
