Ukrainian military denies any connection with the suspect who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump on Sunday (September 15). The American suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, has shown strong support for Ukraine, even attempting to recruit individuals from other countries to assist Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence International Legion of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, a subsidiary of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, released a statement on social media on Monday, stating that the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, who tried to assassinate Trump at his golf course in Florida, has no affiliation with the organization.
In a statement, the organization mentioned, “The American citizen, Ryan Routh, has never served in the International Legion of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine under the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, and has no relationship with our unit. The rumors spread by some media outlets are untrue.”
On Sunday, the US Secret Service foiled the assassination attempt on Trump by Routh, a man from Hawaii. This incident marks the second unsuccessful assassination attempt on Trump in the past two months, with the previous attempt occurring on July 13 while Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to initial investigations, the 58-year-old Routh is a fervent supporter of Ukraine and had traveled to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. He also tried to recruit former Afghan soldiers in Iran to fight in Ukraine. Information on social media indicates that he held critical views towards Trump’s Ukraine policy.
The Azov Brigade, a Ukrainian armed unit, also issued a statement on Monday, denying any association with Routh. They warned that efforts to link Routh with Ukrainian military units are part of Russian propaganda aimed at defaming the Ukrainian armed forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and stated that violence has no place in politics anywhere.