'Dialogue, Negotiation Only Viable Path': China Over Alleged Ukrainian Attack On Putin's Residence

Last Updated:December 30, 2025, 14:08 IST

China said dialogue is the only viable resolution to the Ukraine crisis, urging parties to avoid escalation amid Russian claims of a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence.

A file photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP)

China on Tuesday said that dialogue and negotiations remain the only viable way out of the Ukraine crisis, reacting to Russian claims that Ukrainian drones targeted a residence of President Vladimir Putin.

Beijing called on all parties to avoid escalation and work toward de-escalation, according to a report by the Global Times.

Responding to a question on Russian media reports that Ukraine fired 91 drones at a state residence of the Russian President from Sunday night into Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that “dialogue and negotiation are the only viable path out of the Ukraine crisis."

Lin urged all relevant parties to adhere to three principles, saying, “No expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party of the flames."

He added that stakeholders should promote de-escalation and “accumulate conditions for the political settlement of the crisis," the report mentioned.

China’s comments came after Russia alleged that Ukrainian forces attempted a drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s country residence in the Novgorod region, north of Moscow.

According to news agency PTI, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a televised statement that 91 long-range Ukrainian drones were involved in the alleged attack during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

Lavrov claimed that Russian air defences shot down all the drones and that no damage was caused.

Lavrov also warned that Russia “reserves the right to respond at an appropriate time."

He described the alleged drone strikes as an attempt by Kyiv and its allies to derail ongoing peace talks.

Lavrov said Moscow would revise its negotiating position but would continue peace negotiations with the team of US President Donald Trump.

Later, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov was quoted by Russian television channels as saying that Putin informed Trump about the alleged drone attack during a phone call on Monday.

Ushakov claimed that Trump was “shocked" by what Putin described as an attempt to target the presidential residence.

Ukraine, however, firmly rejected Russia’s claims.

According to CNN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as “a complete fabrication."

Zelenskyy said Russia was using false claims to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.

He pointed out that the accusation surfaced a day after his meeting with Trump in Florida, where discussions focused on peace proposals.

“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts," Zelensky wrote in a post on X.

He accused Moscow of spreading “fakes" to justify further strikes on Ukraine and prolong the conflict.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed Zelenskyy’s remarks, urging the international community to condemn what he described as “provocative Russian statements" intended to derail the peace process.

ALSO READ | ‘Deeply Concerned’: PM Modi On Reports Of Putin’s Residence Attacked By Ukrainian Drones

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