Politicians around the world condemn the assassination attempt on Donald Trump

HONG KONG — World leaders expressed concern on Sunday over the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania that left one attendee dead and two others seriously injured, with many condemning the violence that shocked the world.

Trump’s campaign said the likely Republican nominee was “fine” after being led off the stage, although the shooting pierced the top of his right ear.

The Secret Service said the suspected gunman was killed because he attacked from an elevated position outside the rally site.

While the heads of state condemned the attack, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said US politicians should use the money allocated for arms deliveries to Ukraine “to finance the US police” to “ensure law and order”.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on social media platform X that it was “disturbing” to witness Trump being shot during a speech at a rally and to hear that a participant had died.

“This is a tragedy for the democratic world,” he said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an inexcusable attack on the shared democratic values ​​of the United States and Australia.

“In Australia, as in the United States, the nature and purpose of our democracies is that we can express our views, discuss our differences and resolve our differences peacefully,” Albanese told reporters in Australia’s Parliament House.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on the social media platform X that he was appalled by the attempt.

“Political violence has no place in our society! My thoughts are with all the victims of this attack!” he said.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told X that the attack must be “strongly rejected” by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue, calling the incident unacceptable.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X that he was sickened by the shooting and that his thoughts were with Trump, those present and all Americans.

“It cannot be stressed enough – political violence is never acceptable,” he wrote.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China was concerned about the attack and that President Xi Jinping had already conveyed his greetings to Trump.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala strongly condemned the attack and wished Trump a speedy recovery.

Egyptian President Abdelfattah El Sissi expressed his concern in a statement and stressed that his country condemns the attack. He said he wanted the US election campaign to resume in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free from any terrorism, violence or hatred,” he said.

El Salvador’s presidential palace said President Nayib Bukele condemned “the assassination attempt” on Trump.

“There is no place for violence in a democracy,” said a press release from the President’s office published on X.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote on X that she was shocked by the shooting and that her sympathy was with the victims. “Nothing can justify political violence in any form,” she wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron wished Trump a speedy recovery. “It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the indignation of the American people,” he posted on X.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on X that he was shocked by the attack and was glad to hear that Trump appeared to be OK. He strongly condemned the attack and any act of political violence.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that the attack was “despicable” and that such acts of violence threaten democracy. “My heartfelt sympathy also goes out to the other people who were injured in the attack,” he said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump “in these dark hours.”

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that he was deeply concerned about “the attack on my friend”.

“We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms. Violence has no place in politics and in democracies,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the dead, the injured and the American people.”

Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, condemned the attack on X “in the strongest possible terms” and said his thoughts were with the victims of “this senseless act of terror.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said on X that he condemned the assassination attempt on Trump “in the strongest and clearest terms” and wished him a speedy recovery on behalf of the entire Israeli people. His thoughts were with the victims and their families.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Trump a speedy recovery and expressed her hope in a statement that “in the coming months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility will prevail over hatred and violence.”

“We must oppose any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for the speedy recovery of former President Trump,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on X.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the assassination attempt on X.

“Political differences in a democracy must always be expressed through peaceful forms of speech and protest and resolved through free and fair elections.”

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also expressed his shock at the attack on Channel X, adding that political violence was unacceptable and reprehensible.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda wrote on X that he was shocked and appalled by the shooting and strongly condemned this act of political violence.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador condemned the attack on X, saying: “Violence is irrational and inhuman.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wrote on X that he was saddened by the attack and condemned political violence in all its forms.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the shooting a “shocking development.” He said he condemned all violence in politics and wished the former president a speedy recovery and good health.

On her Telegram channel, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, wrote that American politicians should use the money they spend on arms deliveries to Ukraine “to finance the American police and other services designed to ensure law and order in the United States.”

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on X that he was appalled by “the heinous act” of political violence. He added that the Korean people stood in solidarity with the Americans.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who himself survived an assassination attempt in May, condemned the shooting in a Facebook post, drawing direct parallels between the two incidents and suggesting that the attack on Trump was the result of a campaign by his political opponents.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country condemned “the terrible attack” and expressed its condolences to the victims and their families.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump on the matter, adding that political violence of any kind was never acceptable “in our democracies.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination attempt on X and conveyed his best wishes to Trump, his family and supporters.

He said he was confident that “the investigation into the attack will be conducted effectively” so as not to affect the US elections.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her deep shock at the shooting at X-Platz, adding that political violence has no place in a democracy.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told X he was relieved to hear that Trump was OK and condemned the attack.

“The voice of the people must always be the strongest,” he said.

Also on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was horrified to learn of the shooting and said such violence was unjustifiable, adding that he was relieved to learn Trump was safe.

Zelenskyy wished strength to all those who were horrified by the events.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told US broadcaster X that he was appalled by the “shocking scenes” and conveyed his best wishes to Trump and his family.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our society and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” he said.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a close ally of Trump, called it a “miracle” that the former president escaped the assassination attempt.

“As we give thanks for his rescue, we are once again reminded of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and irrationality,” he wrote on X.

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Associated Press journalists from around the world contributed to this report.