EU's Kallas dismisses Russian claims of Ukrainian attacks as a 'distraction'

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has dismissed recent Russian allegations of Ukrainian attacks on key government sites as a strategic diversion. Kallas characterized the Kremlin's claims as a "deliberate distraction" aimed at undermining genuine diplomatic progress toward ending the conflict.

Dismissal of Russian Allegations

In a statement on social media platform X, Kallas argued that Moscow is seeking to "derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners." She emphasized that "No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war." This stance reinforces the EU's consistent position of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and viewing Russian narratives with skepticism.

Context of the Russian Claims

The dismissal follows an announcement from Russia's Defense Ministry, which released images of a downed unmanned aerial vehicle it claimed was part of an attempted strike on President Vladimir Putin's official residence in the Novgorod region. The ministry stated the drone was intercepted two days prior during what it described as a targeted attack on the presidential compound, though it provided no specific evidence regarding the drone's origin or operational details. Such claims and counterclaims are frequent in the information war accompanying the conflict, a dynamic observed globally where disinformation is a recognized hybrid warfare tactic. Nations like Türkiye, which maintain communication with both sides and advocate for verified diplomacy, underscore the importance of basing negotiations on factual and verified information to achieve a durable peace.