Retired Gen. Jack Keane calls for ‘maximum sanctions’ on Russia after Putin’s ‘bold-faced lie’ to Trump about alleged drone attack
Putin complained to Trump on a phone call earlier this week about the alleged drone attack. MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock
Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that Ukrainian drones targeted his personal residence was a “bold-faced lie” driven by desperation and meant to sabotage ongoing peace negotiations.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Keane, a Fox News military analyst, argued that Putin is increasingly under pressure and unable to achieve victory in Ukraine. “He’s not capable of taking Ukraine,” Keane said. “He knows that the economy is closing in on him.”
Keane contrasted Putin’s posture with what he described as growing unity between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the two leaders have made progress toward “coming to an agreed position” on ending the war. According to Keane, Putin resented those developments and attempted to derail negotiations by falsely claiming Ukraine launched a drone attack on his home.
“In desperation, he tells the president that Ukraine attacked his residence and shuts down negotiations — that is a bold-faced lie,” Keane said.
Keane cited an analysis by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, which found no evidence supporting the Kremlin’s claim that 91 Ukrainian drones targeted Putin’s country home in Russia’s Novgorod region. He noted the absence of social media footage, air defense activity, physical damage, or downed drones — indicators that typically accompany large-scale drone attacks.
“There was no evidence of anything happening,” Keane said, adding that U.S. government sources appear to be confirming the incident did not occur.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Trump on the alleged attack Wednesday, according to a source. Later that day, Trump shared a link to a New York Post editorial suggesting Putin was likely lying. A CIA assessment reportedly aligned with other U.S. national security officials in concluding that Ukraine did not attempt to strike Putin’s residence, according to The Wall Street Journal.
President Zelensky has also dismissed the Russian leader’s claim, calling it a “complete fabrication.”
Keane argued that the Trump administration should reassess Putin’s sincerity in peace talks and consider stronger measures if negotiations continue to stall.
“He is lying to us about peace negotiations and his desire for peace,” Keane said. “We may need to rethink how we deal with him, and it could be time to double down on maximum sanctions and maximum military pressure.”
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