Donald Trump has expressed doubt over Russia’s claim that Ukraine had ordered a drone strike on Vladimir Putin’s home.
Hours after the US president had a warm meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, the Kremlin declared one of Putin’s residences had been attacked.
Zelenskyy denied the accusation and European leaders claimed Putin was trying to disrupt peace negotiations.
But Trump responded with concern, claiming he was “very angry”.
The allegation threatened to derail any progress from the talks especially as Trump said Putin had told him the details in a personal phone call.
But, speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump distanced himself from the incident. He said: “I don’t believe that strike happened. We don’t believe that happened, now that we’ve been able to check.”
The president said he believed “something happened nearby” Putin’s home, but that US officials did not find evidence that his residence had been targeted.
Trump also appeared to be going a little lukewarm over Russia’s claim by last Wednesday, after posting a link to a New York Post editorial on his Truth Social platform.
The article attacked Putin for choosing “lies, hatred and death” just as Trump was narrowing in on a deal.
This could end up being a significant moment for the Ukraine war, considering the US president has repeatedly sided with Russia while trying to negotiate a peace settlement.
While Putin initiated the war with his land grab invasion in February 2022, Trump has often blamed other people – such as Zelenskyy or Joe Biden – for starting the conflict.