Kathrine Frich
President Donald Trump’s has changed his public stance toward Vladimir Putin again.
The change followed a classified intelligence briefing that challenged a claim made by the Kremlin leader at a sensitive diplomatic moment.
The episode has added fresh uncertainty to already fragile efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Claim and reaction
The controversy began after Putin told Trump during a December 29 phone call that Ukraine had launched a large-scale drone attack targeting one of his residences in Russia’s Novgorod region.
Speaking later that day at Mar-a-Lago alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump reacted angrily.
“I am very angry about the claim. This is not the right time,” he told reporters. He added: “It’s another thing to attack his house.”
At the time, Trump said the allegation could have been fabricated but appeared to give weight to Putin’s account.
A public pivot
Within days, Trump signalled a sharp change in tone. His most recent public comment came via Truth Social, where he reposted a New York Post editorial titled: “Putin ‘attack’ bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace.”
The opinion piece accused Moscow of inventing the incident to disrupt diplomacy.
The repost marked a clear departure from Trump’s earlier remarks and suggested growing scepticism toward the Kremlin narrative.
The shift came as U.S.-led talks aimed at ending the war remained stalled.
CIA assessment
According to U.S. officials, the reversal followed a briefing from CIA Director John Ratcliffe on December 31.
The assessment concluded there was no evidence that Ukrainian forces had targeted Putin’s residence.
Instead, U.S. intelligence determined that the drones were aimed at a nearby military facility that had been struck previously.
Analysts found no indication of an attempt to hit personal property, officials said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the allegation outright, stating: “The claim is a complete fabrication.”
Competing narratives
Russian authorities said they intercepted 91 drones and released video of downed aircraft, but provided no proof linking them to Putin’s home. According to Reuters, Moscow reported no casualties or damage.
The dispute unfolded amid escalating drone strikes on both sides.
On December 31, Russian-installed Kherson governor Vladimir Saldo claimed Ukrainian drones hit a cafe and hotel in the occupied village of Khorly.
Writing on Telegram, he said: “Last night, the enemy carried out a deliberate drone strike on a venue where civilians were celebrating the New Year.”
Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the claim, and independent verification remains lacking.
Sources: Reuters, CIA briefing, New York Post, Ukrainian presidency, Telegram, Express
