Russia accuses Ukraine of drone @ttack on Putin’s residence

A significant diplomatic rift has emerged in the ongoing peace negotiations as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to strike President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region.According to Lavrov, Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 91 long-range drones between December 28 and 29. Moscow has labeled the alleged incident “state terrorism,” warning that such actions will not go unanswered.While Russia indicated it will not withdraw from the current peace talks, Lavrov noted that Moscows negotiating position will be reviewed in light of these events. Russian officials further claimed that targets for retaliatory strikes have already been selected.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly denied the accusations, calling them a fabrication. Zelenskyy countered by suggesting that Moscow is utilizing these claims as a pretext to launch new strikes against government buildings in Kyiv.The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the focus should remain on the diplomatic framework being discussed with international partners rather than Russian “misinformation.”Despite the heightened tensions, details of a proposed peace settlement continue to surface following Zelenskyys meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The United States has reportedly offered security guarantees for a period of 15 years, though Zelenskyy stated he is pushing for a 50-year commitment to effectively deter future Russian aggression.Furthermore, the 20-point peace plan under discussion includes specific mechanisms for monitoring the agreement and the “presence” of international partners, although the exact nature of this presence remains a point of contention with the Kremlin.Zelenskyy also intends to put any final deal to a national referendum in Ukraine, a process that would require a ceasefire of at least 60 days to facilitate a fair and secure vote.As diplomatic efforts intensify, the situation on the ground remains brutal. General Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s General Staff, claimed that Russian forces captured over 6,400 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2025.  President Putin has also reiterated his demand for the creation of “buffer zones” along the Russian border to secure his country’s territory. Meanwhile, international allies are moving to formalize their roles in the potential settlement.French President, Emmanuel Macron announced that Kyiv’s partners will meet in Paris in early January to finalize their specific contributions to the security guarantees.With the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaching in February, negotiators are facing immense pressure to find a breakthrough on thorny issues such as troop withdrawals and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.The post Russia accuses Ukraine of drone @ttack on Putins residence appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.