Trump Survived Shooting, Kremlin: We Don't Believe It Was Organized By Current Authorities

Dmitry Peskov. (Source: Valentina Pevtcova/Roscongress via Kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - The Kremlin said Sunday it did not believe the current U.S. administration was responsible for Saturday's assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump, but said it created the atmosphere that fueled the attack.

Trump was wounded in the ear in a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, in an attack now being investigated as an assassination attempt. The attacker was shot dead and law enforcement officials said they had not yet identified a motive.

"We do not believe that the attempt to eliminate and kill Trump was organized by the current authorities," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, saying Russia condemns any violence in political struggles, Reuters reported on July 14.

"But the atmosphere around Trump's candidacy fueled what America is facing today," he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attack, saying there is no place for such violence in America.

"I am glad to hear that he is safe and well. I pray for him and his family and everyone who was at the rally, while waiting for more information," he wrote on Twitter.

Peskov’s comments echoed those of some of Trump’s Republican allies, who have been quick to point the finger at President Biden.

“After numerous attempts to remove candidate Trump from the political arena, using various legal tools, courts, prosecutors, numerous attempts to discredit and politically compromise the candidate — it is clear to all outside observers that his life is in danger,” Peskov said.

He added that there were no plans for President Vladimir Putin to call Trump after the incident.

Separately, the Russian Foreign Ministry used the shooting to urge Washington to stop funding Ukraine's military and instead focus on improving domestic law enforcement.