MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) – The Kremlin is accusing Ukraine of allegedly attempting a drone attack on a residence of the head of state Vladimir Putin terror. “This is a terrorist act aimed at breaking off the talks process,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the state news agency Tass. It is not only directed against Putin, but also against US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts, said Peskov in Moscow.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov initially spoke about the alleged drone attack on the residence in the Valdai area between Moscow and St. Petersburg on Monday. Putin also complained about this in a phone call with Trump, who in turn reprimanded Kiev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied that such an attack took place. Moscow is trying to distract from the fact that it does not want an end to the war, he said.
Peskov: Russia’s tougher stance
Peskov reiterated that Russia would take a tougher stance in the ongoing talks because of the attack. However, it is not helpful to give details about this. He denied that Moscow wanted to withdraw from talks. “Russia will of course continue the conversation process and dialogue, especially with the Americans,” he said.
The Russian military will find an answer to the Ukrainian actions, said the Kremlin spokesman. He did not comment on the question of where Putin was at the time of the alleged attack on Monday night. Under the current circumstances, no public information could be given about the president’s whereabouts. There was no need to provide evidence of the attack; Russian air defenses repelled him. If there is debris from downed drones, the military is responsible for it. The denials by Zelenskyj and his supporters are meaningless, said Peskov./fko/DP/jha