Trump Russia Ukraine peace talks 2026: Skepticism Rises as Kyiv Faces New Casualties
On Jan 5, 2026, Trump dismissed claims of a strike on Putin's residence as ceasefire talks reach a 90% threshold. Kyiv reports its first 2026 casualties.
They're shaking hands, but the fists are still clenched. United States President Donald Trump has dismissed claims that Russian President Putin's residence was targeted by a drone strike. This reversal comes just as a ceasefire plan is reportedly 90 percent ready, even while Kyiv mourns its first civilian victims of 2026.
Trump Reverses Stance on Kremlin's Strike Allegations
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump stated he doesn't believe the strike on the Novgorod residence actually happened. After US officials reviewed the evidence, they concluded that Ukraine didn't target the site. This contradicts his initial reaction where he accepted the Kremlin's narrative at face value.
Ukraine has consistently denied any involvement, accusing Moscow of a false-flag operation. The Russian Ministry of Defence had published video of a downed drone it claimed was headed for Putin, an incident Russia intended to use as leverage to harden its stance in ongoing negotiations.
Kyiv Casualties and the Trump Russia Ukraine peace talks 2026 Deadline
The diplomatic progress is shadowed by fresh violence on the ground. On Monday morning, an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region killed 2 people—the capital's first casualties of 2026. A medical facility in the Obolonskyi district caught fire, and a 70-year-old man died in the Fastiv district.
Despite these strikes, Zelenskyy has noted that the US-backed ceasefire plan is now 90 percent ready. European leaders are preparing to meet in France this Tuesday for high-stakes talks. Territorial concessions remain the biggest hurdle in ending the four-year-long war.
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