Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed accusations from top Kremlin officials on Monday, labeling the claims that Kyiv targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s home as “a complete fabrication.”

Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy advisor to Putin, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, made statements through the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel, accusing Ukraine of orchestrating a drone strike on a Russian presidential residence located in the Novgorod region of northwestern Russia.

Zelenskyy responded by stating, “This so-called ‘residence strike’ narrative is entirely fabricated to rationalize further aggression against Ukraine, including Kyiv, and to excuse Russia’s reluctance to engage in peace efforts. Typical Russian deceit. Moreover, Russia has previously targeted Kyiv, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.”

He further emphasized, “Ukraine refrains from actions that could sabotage diplomatic efforts. Conversely, Russia consistently undermines them, highlighting one of the many distinctions between our nations.”

A local resident navigates the wreckage near a damaged home, following a Russian strike on a suburb of Odesa in southern Ukraine, on March 7, 2025. (Oleksandr Gimanova/AFP via Getty Images)

Lavrov warned that Russia would retaliate in another statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official Telegram channel, saying “such reckless actions will not go unanswered.”

“The targets for retaliatory strikes and the timing of their execution by the Russian Armed Forces have been determined. At the same time, we do not intend to withdraw from the negotiation process with the United States,” he added.

The White House confirmed to Fox News on Monday that Trump spoke with Putin for the second time in two days, following the commander in chief’s Sunday meeting in Florida with Zelenskyy.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. ( REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the call was “positive” and focused on discussions about the war in Ukraine.

Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago Monday afternoon that he learned about the reported drone strike during the phone call with Putin earlier in the day.

“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 and — can’t do it. And I learned about it from President Putin, and I was very angry about it,” he said.

Trump on Sunday touted his meeting with Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian officials as productive as discussions continued over potential pathways toward ending Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine.

“I really believe we’re probably, Mr. President, closer than — by far — closer than ever before with both parties,” Trump said at a joint press conference with the Ukrainian leader.

Trump said the thorniest unresolved issue remains land Russia wants but does not fully control, referring to territory in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, and suggested Kyiv would be better off making a deal sooner rather than later.