Trump Calls Putin A Liar
President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. intelligence officials have found no evidence supporting Russia’s claim that Ukraine attempted to strike a residence associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a recent drone incident.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling back to Washington, D.C., from Florida, Trump directly rejected the allegation.
“I don’t believe that strike occurred,” Trump said. “Something may have happened in the general area, but it had nothing to do with targeting a residence.”
The comments push back against statements made last week by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who alleged that Ukrainian forces launched multiple drones toward Putin’s state residence in Russia’s Novgorod region. According to Lavrov, Russian air defense systems intercepted the drones before any damage occurred.
Lavrov also criticized Ukraine for what he described as a reckless escalation during a sensitive phase of negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Ukrainian officials swiftly denied the accusation. The claim emerged just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Florida for discussions with Trump on a developing 20-point peace framework being considered by the U.S. administration.
European officials later suggested the Russian claim may have been politically motivated, arguing it appeared designed to undermine diplomatic momentum rather than reflect verified intelligence.
Earlier in the week, Trump had acknowledged that Putin raised the issue during a phone conversation. At the time, Trump said he was angered by the accusation, especially given the delicate state of ongoing negotiations.
However, by midweek, the president appeared to distance himself from Moscow’s narrative. Trump shared an editorial questioning the credibility of the claim and warning that misinformation could derail efforts to bring the conflict to a negotiated conclusion.
Trump has repeatedly stated that ending the war remains a priority of his administration, though he has acknowledged that progress has been slower than anticipated. He has also voiced frustration with leadership on both sides as talks continue.
Following meetings at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, both Trump and Zelenskyy said discussions had produced forward movement on several elements of the proposed peace plan.
Russia, however, has continued to signal firm conditions for any agreement, including control over key territories in eastern Ukraine and strict limits on Ukraine’s future military capabilities.
Despite the obstacles, Trump has maintained that sustained diplomacy—combined with firm U.S. leadership—offers the best opportunity to bring the conflict to an end and restore long-term stability in the region.
