Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his relief upon hearing about the safety of former US President Donald Trump, following the attempted assassination that took place earlier this week in Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, is said to have previously traveled to Ukraine to support its war against Russia.
Zelensky, through a tweet, stated that he was pleased to know about Trump’s safety and offered his “best wishes” to the former president and his family. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law and rejecting political violence on a global scale.
Routh’s involvement in Ukraine coincided with his change in stance towards Trump, whom he previously supported. His presence in Ukraine came into focus when it was revealed that he took part in demonstrations in Kyiv to support Ukrainians trapped in Mariupol and also tried to get troops to help in the battle against Russia.
A high-ranking Ukrainian official has stated that Routh did not serve in the country and had no ties with state structures, emphasizing that he entered Ukraine as a supporter of its cause, just like many others. The International Legion of Ukraine, composed of foreign volunteers, also denied any ties to Routh, stating that he had not served with them and had “no relation to the unit” since Russia’s February 2022 attack.
The attempted assassination was the second such incident in two months involving an armed gunman targeting Trump. In this instance, a Secret Service agent spotted Routh approximately 300-500 yards away from Trump with his rifle protruding through a chain link fence. After the agent opened fire, Routh fled the scene and was later arrested on Interstate 95.
Despite recent threats against Trump’s life, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw mentioned that the former president’s security detail was lighter since he is no longer in office. Law-enforcement sources further revealed that Routh is a resident of Hawaii and has been known to champion progressive causes online, being a reliable donor to Democratic causes and candidates.
