ClosePresident Donald Trump said that he was “very angry” after Putin claimed that Ukraine tried to attack the Russian president’s residence in northern Russia.
"I don't like it. It's not good," Trump told reporters when asked if he was worried the allegation could affect his efforts to broker peace.
"I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it. It's a delicate period of time. This is not the right time. It's one thing to be offensive, because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that,” he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphatically denied the claims, saying it was a deliberate lie to hamper progress in peace talks with Donald Trump.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Kyiv of launching 91 drones at the Russian president’s Valdai residence in the Novgorod region and said Moscow would change its negotiating position as a result.
But Zelensky hit back immediately after the claim was published, saying it was a “lie”.
Meanwhile, cracks were beginning to show in Trump’s drive to end the war in Ukraine as Zelensky revealed he had been offered just 15 years of security guarantees from the US.
West must recognise that Russia holds strategic initiative in Ukraine, says Lavrov
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview published late on Monday, said the West must understand that Russia holds the strategic initiative in Ukraine as discussions move forward on a possible settlement.
Lavrov told RIA news agency that the West had to come to terms with the territorial realities on the ground nearly four years after the launch of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which it describes as a "Special Military Operation".
He said the United States now supported the notion, which had become clear to all, that with the expiry of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's mandate, a new election was needed.
Lavrov also again stressed that a settlement required an end to any notion of a NATO presence in Ukraine and that the country had to adopt a neutral, non-aligned status.
Holly Evans29 December 2025 22:30
Italy approves decree to keep aid flowing to Ukraine
Italy's cabinet on Monday approved a decree to keep military aid flowing to Ukraine through 2026, sealing a coalition compromise after weeks of debate.
The new decree is similar to bills approved in the past three years, stating that the government will transfer military vehicles, materials and equipment to Ukraine.
Priority will be given to logistical and medical items for civilian use, and for equipment needed to defend against missile, drone and cyber attacks.
James Reynolds29 December 2025 22:00
Trump uses Zelensky peace talks to indulge in conspiracy theories about 2020 election and the ‘Russia hoax’
Trump still can’t stop talking about 2020 when Zelensky is in the room. John Bowden ponders: Will that make dragging Putin to the table impossible?
Trump uses Zelensky peace talks to indulge in conspiracy theories about 2020 election
Trump still can’t stop talking about 2020 when Zelensky is in the room. John Bowden ponders: Will that make dragging Putin to the table impossible?James Reynolds29 December 2025 21:00
Ukrainian POWs ‘being systematically executed’ by Russia, says top commander
One of Ukraine’s most decorated soldiers has said he often intercepts Russian transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given.
Combat observers say evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has grown in recent months. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine even as peace talks continue between the US and European and Russian leaders.
Read the full story:
Ukrainian POWs ‘being systematically executed’ by Russia, says top commander
One of Ukraine’s most decorated soldiers says he often intercepts transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given James Reynolds29 December 2025 20:00
Trump says of alleged Ukraine attack on Putin: 'I was very angry about it'
President Donald Trump said Putin told him Ukraine tried to attack the Russian president’s residence in northern Russia, which Kyiv has denied.
"I don't like it. It's not good," Trump told reporters when asked if he was worried the allegation could affect his efforts to broker peace. "I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it."
"It's a delicate period of time. This is not the right time. It's one thing to be offensive, because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that," he said.
When asked if there was any evidence of such an attack, Trump said: "We'll find out."
He described his call with Putin earlier on Monday as a "very good talk."
"We have a few very thorny issues," Trump said about talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Holly Evans29 December 2025 19:13
Zelensky appraises latest peace talks
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky shared his assessment of where peace talks were left with reporters via WhatsApp on Monday:
On security guarantees
Zelensky said Sunday “confirmed” Ukraine would have “strong” security guarantees from the US, after weeks trying to secure a concrete assurance.
He said the terms set out in draft were for 15 years with possibility of extension.
Zelensky said he was pushing for 30-50 years, given that Ukraine had been at war for almost 15 years already.
On foreign troops
Zelensky reiterated that foreign troops in Ukraine would be a “real security guarantee”.
”It is a strengthening of the security guarantees that our partners are already offering us,” he said.
Referendum on peace?
Zelensky also indicated on Monday that peace talks would need the consent of the Ukrainian people via referendum, contingent upon a 60-day ceasefire that Russia “does not want to give us”.
Future talks
Zelensky confirmed that European leaders would meet in January to discuss next steps. He wants a meeting with the US and European allies in the coming days.
James Reynolds29 December 2025 19:00
Trump hails 'very good talk' with Putin
Donald Trump said he had "just heard about" Russia's accusation that Ukraine tried to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence in northern Russia, which Kyiv has denied.
Trump also said he had a "very good talk" with Putin earlier in the day.
"We have a few very thorny issues," Trump said about talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Holly Evans29 December 2025 18:42
Ukraine among 17 countries singled out for new US aid
The United States on Monday pledged $2 billion in humanitarian assistance to tens of millions of people, following major cuts by the Trump administration earlier this year.
A UN spokesperson said Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sudan were among the 17 countries covered in Monday's package.
The US slashed its aid spending this year, and leading Western donors such as Germany also pared back assistance as they pivoted to increased defence spending.
James Reynolds29 December 2025 18:26
Putin amends law to officially let Russia ignore foreign criminal courts
President Vladimir Putin has formally enacted changes granting Russia the unilateral right to ignore judgments issued by foreign and international courts in criminal cases.
Read the full story:
Putin amends law to officially let Russia ignore foreign criminal courts
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Putin James Reynolds29 December 2025 17:47
Kyiv rubbishes Russian claims of assault on Novgorod residence
Ukraine's foreign minister urged world leaders on Monday to condemn Russian "manipulations" about an alleged Ukrainian attack on Vladimir Putin's residence, saying Moscow was seeking "false justification" for further strikes on its neighbour.
"Usual Russian tactic: Accuse the other side of what you are doing or planning yourself," Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian accusations were "fake" and that he had discussed the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
James Reynolds29 December 2025 16:46NewerOlder