US NATO envoy questions Russian claim of Ukrainian attack on Putin’s residence

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker expressed scepticism over Russia’s claim that Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin’s residence, stating he wants to review U.S. intelligence on the incident.

"It is unclear whether it actually happened," Whitaker told Fox Business’s Varney & Co. about the alleged attack, which Ukraine has denied.

"It seems to me a little indelicate to be this close at a peace deal, Ukraine really wanting to get a peace deal done, and then to do something that would be viewed as reckless or not helpful," he added.

Russia reported on December 29 that Ukraine had struck a presidential residence in the Novgorod region using 91 long-range attack drones, warning it would retaliate and toughen its stance in ongoing negotiations.

Ukraine dismissed the claim as “lies” meant to justify further attacks, with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba saying on December 30 that Russia had provided no evidence "because there's none."

U.S. President Donald Trump said on December 29 that Putin informed him in a phone call that Ukraine had attempted the attack. Trump said he was "very angry" about the incident and, when asked if there was proof, said, "We'll find out."

The White House declined to comment further, while U.S. intelligence officials, including the CIA, remained silent.

"We're going to get to the bottom of the intelligence. And for me, the most important thing is what the United States and our allies' intelligence services say about whether or not this attack actually happened," Whitaker said.

After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, Trump said he and Zelenskyy were "maybe very close" to an agreement to end the war, though major territorial disputes remain unresolved.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s stance, saying, "This alleged 'residence strike' story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war. Typical Russian lies."

By Aghakazim Guliyev