Ukrainian officials on Monday strongly denied any connection to Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the suspect’s known support for Ukraine and his efforts to recruit foreign volunteers to fight in the country.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday at Trump’s golf course, was thwarted by the Secret Service in what the FBI described as the second apparent assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate in two months. Trump was unharmed in the incident.
Routh, 58, identified by U.S. media as the suspect, had previously expressed strong support for Ukraine and had traveled there following Russia’s 2022 invasion. In a 2022 interview with Newsweek Romania in Kyiv, Routh was filmed discussing his attempts to recruit foreign fighters for Ukraine, stating he had been rejected as too old to volunteer himself.
Ukrainian officials were quick to distance themselves from Routh. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s International Legion, which includes foreign volunteers, told Reuters, “Routh had never been part of, associated with, or linked to the International Legion in any capacity.” Oleksandr Shaguri, an officer of the Foreigners Coordination Department of the Land Forces Command, told CNN that Ukraine’s military considered Routh “delusional” and did not take his offers to recruit volunteers seriously.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed relief that Trump was safe and emphasized that there is no place for violence in politics anywhere.
The incident has sparked a war of words between Moscow and Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov appeared to link the assassination attempt to Washington’s support for Ukraine, stating, “Playing with fire has its consequences.” In response, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, accused Moscow of using the incident to spread conspiracy theories about a “Ukrainian trace.”
The Secret Service reported that agents fired on a man spotted in bushes near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course on Sunday. The suspect fled the scene in a car, leaving behind two backpacks and an AK-47-style assault rifle. He was apprehended by sheriff’s deputies in neighboring Martin County.
This incident, along with a previous attempt on Trump’s life two months ago, has highlighted the challenges of ensuring the safety of presidential candidates during a tense election campaign. With just over seven weeks until the November 5 election, both major party candidates have expressed concern over the security situation.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s election opponent, stated on social media that “Violence has no place in America.” President Joe Biden has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service has the necessary resources to protect Trump.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining Routh’s social media presence and past statements. Profiles associated with his name contained messages of support for Ukraine and criticism of Trump, though these have since been removed or restricted.
The incident has reignited debates about election security, the role of foreign influences in U.S. politics, and the broader implications of international conflicts on domestic political discourse. As both campaigns move forward, the security of candidates is likely to remain a top priority for law enforcement agencies and campaign organizers alike.
