US NATO envoy casts doubt on Russian claims

U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker cast doubt on Tuesday on Russia’s accusation that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir Putin’s residence, saying he wants to see U.S. intelligence on the incident.



Whitaker said "It seems to me a little indelicate to be this close at a peace deal, Ukraine really wanting to get a peace deal done, and then to do something that would be viewed as reckless or not helpful," .



Russia said on Monday that Ukraine had attacked a presidential residence in the Novgorod region with 91 long-range attack drones.



It said it would retaliate and that its negotiating stance would toughen in the talks.



Ukraine called Russia's accusations "lies" aimed at justifying more attacks on Ukraine, and its foreign minister said on Tuesday that Russia had not provided any evidence "because there's none."



U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Putin told him in a phone call that Ukraine tried to attack the residence.



Trump said he was "very angry" about it. Asked if there was evidence of such an attack, Trump said, "We'll find out."