Zelenskyy Sends Best Wishes to Trump, Condemns Political Violence After Assassination Attempt

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned political violence and extended his wishes to Donald Trump following a recent assassination attempt on the former president. The incident has raised concerns about political safety in the United States, especially as the suspect identified in this case has been revealed as a vocal supporter of Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.

In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy expressed relief at Trump’s safety, stating, “I am glad that Donald Trump is safe and unharmed. My best wishes to him and his family.” This came after the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, allegedly attempted to ambush the former president at Trump’s golf course in Florida.

Reports indicate that Secret Service agents fired upon Routh when they noticed him lying in wait with an apparent rifle at the edge of the golf course. Fortunately, Trump was unharmed during this incident, which the FBI is classifying as an assassination attempt.

Witnesses reported that the event took place at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, while Trump was engaged in his golf game. The Secret Service agents recognized Routh when they observed him trying to position his firearm through the course’s fence. Following gunfire from the agents, Routh fled the scene.

Law enforcement agencies promptly traced Routh’s vehicle to Martin County, where he was arrested while driving on Interstate 95. Authorities are treating this incident seriously, especially as it represents the second assassination attempt against Trump in a two-month span, the first occurring in Pennsylvania in July.

President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of law and order in his statement. “It’s good that the suspect in the assassination attempt was apprehended quickly,” he noted. “This is our principle: the rule of law is paramount and political violence has no place anywhere in the world. We sincerely hope that everyone remains safe.”

Zelenskyy’s sentiments were echoed by President Joe Biden, who reinforced his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the Secret Service has the resources it needs to protect Trump, asserting that “there is no place for political violence” in society.

Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in, expressing her deep concern over the assassination attempt. “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” she said. “I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.”

The suspect, Ryan Routh, is now awaiting a federal court appearance. He has a history of expressing strong pro-Ukrainian sentiments. In various social media posts and interviews, Routh has claimed a willingness to fight to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression, even stating that he has fought there himself and recruited others to join him.

His presence online dates back to January 2020, where he voiced opinions on issues like Black Lives Matter, Taiwanese independence, and support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. In spring 2022, he made headlines by suggesting via X that he planned to travel to Ukraine to fight, directly tagging Zelenskyy’s account with a bold declaration that he would join the coalition against Russian forces.

Despite Routh’s claims about his involvement in the fight, verification of his travels to Ukraine has not been confirmed. He has, however, conducted numerous interviews urging fellow Americans to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian incursions.

In a June 2022 interview with Romanian media, Routh stressed the urgency of the situation. “If everyone’s complacent and doesn’t join this fight, guess who’s going to win,” he warned. “We’re going to lose this battle if everyone around the globe doesn’t stop what they’re doing, get off the couch, and come to Ukraine to defend human rights.”

A New York Times article from March 2023 characterized Routh as a “former construction worker from Greensboro, N.C.” who has been actively involved in recruiting Afghan soldiers seeking asylum from the Taliban to aid Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. Routh claimed that numerous individuals had shown interest in joining the fight.

Source: USA Today