French officials cast doubt on evidence for alleged attack on Putin

France has cast significant doubt on Russia's claim that Ukraine launched a drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin's official residence. Sources within French President Emmanuel Macron's office stated on Tuesday that they found "no solid evidence" to support the serious allegations made by the Kremlin, even after cross-checking information with international partners.

Contradictory Russian Accounts and a Firm Ukrainian Denial

The French assessment, reported by broadcaster BFMTV, pointed to what it called inconsistencies in the Russian narrative. "The Russian authorities themselves are saying everything and its opposite about what actually happened, notably regarding the number of vectors involved and the regions targeted," a presidential source said. The remark followed a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who alleged on Monday that Kyiv attacked the Novgorod region residence with 91 drones, all of which were destroyed without causing casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly denied any involvement, arguing the accusation is meant to undermine diplomacy and justify further aggression.

An Incident at the Center of High-Stakes Diplomacy

The alleged attack has become a flashpoint in international diplomacy. US President Donald Trump earlier this week expressed anger over the reported incident, calling it inappropriate during sensitive peace negotiations, while also suggesting it might not have occurred. The conflicting statements from Moscow, Kyiv, Washington, and now Paris underscore the difficulty in establishing facts amid the ongoing war and the high political stakes involved in US-led ceasefire talks.

Strategic Implications and Broader Skepticism

France's public questioning of the evidence reflects a broader Western wariness of Russian claims, which are often viewed as potential pretexts for escalation. By highlighting a lack of corroborating proof, Paris aligns itself with a cautious, evidence-based approach to the volatile situation. This development is watched closely by other key mediators and regional powers, including Türkiye, which maintains communication channels with both sides and has an interest in de-escalation and credible diplomacy.