Zelenskyy Says In Talks With Trump For Deployment Of US Troops In Ukraine

The deployment of US troops in Ukraine as part of a security deal is currently under discussion with President Donald Trump, his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reported as saying on Tuesday.

The statement comes days after Zelenskyy held a meeting with Trump, where the two leaders discussed the potential peace deal with Russia.

Zelenskyy, while briefing the media via WhatsApp, said he is willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in any format in order to advance talks related to ending the war, news agency Reuters reported.

Russia had accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks targeting the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

The drones targeted Putin's residence in the Novgorod region, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was reported as saying by Russian news agency Sputnik.

According to Lavrov, Ukraine had used 91 drones to execute the attack, all of which were destroyed by the Russian air defence systems.

"We draw attention to the fact that this action was carried out during intensive negotiations between Russia and the United States on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict", Associated Press quoted Lavrov as saying.

He further remarked that such "reckless" actions will not go unanswered. Lavrov reportedly claimed that targets for retaliatory strikes and the timing of their execution by the Russian Armed Forces have been determined.

The foreign minister also stated that Russia's negotiating position will be revised given "Ukraine's shift to a policy of state terrorism."

Additionally, Putin has informed US President Trump about the alleged attack, Russian news agency IFX reported. The two parties have also reportedly agreed to holding more talks.

However, Zelenskyy had staunchly denied these claims via a detailed post on his official 'X' account. He stated, "Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer."

"This alleged 'residence strike' story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war," he added.

Last month, in an attempt to broker peace between the two countries and establish a lasting ceasefire Trump had proposed a 28-point peace plan. At multiple occasions, Russia and Ukraine have reportedly come close to a ceasefire but never achieved it.