Lavrov said that the timing and target of Russia’s retaliation have already been decided, emphasizing that the Kremlin intends to protect its reputation. According to Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, Putin informed former US President Donald Trump about the alleged Ukrainian attack during a phone call on Monday, reportedly leaving Trump shocked.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly refuted the claims, calling them “fabricated” and “false.” He accused Russia of attempting to create a pretext to strike Kyiv and other Ukrainian government buildings. Zelensky stated on social media platform X that Ukraine remains committed to a diplomatic resolution, while Russia continues to reject peace initiatives.

“We will not let the world remain silent and will not allow Russia to undermine efforts for lasting peace,” Zelensky said, reiterating Ukraine’s stance that previous Russian attacks on Kyiv were justified using similar pretexts. He emphasized that Ukraine has consistently sought dialogue and that Russia’s allegations are politically motivated.

The alleged attack comes at a critical juncture in ongoing negotiations, where Ukraine and international partners are exploring security guarantees. Zelensky revealed that the United States has proposed a 15-year security guarantee for Ukraine, though he argued that a 50-year assurance would be more effective in deterring future Russian aggression.

Key obstacles remain in the peace talks, particularly the withdrawal of forces from contested territories and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, one of the world’s largest nuclear facilities, currently under Russian control. Zelensky stressed that a comprehensive security framework is essential to achieve a sustainable end to the conflict, including international monitoring and involvement of partner nations.

While Russia continues to reject NATO troop deployment in Ukraine, tensions remain high amid mutual accusations. Analysts warn that any escalation in response to alleged attacks could further destabilize the region and complicate ongoing peace negotiations.