Putin extends condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family

The killing of the conservative US activist was a “disgusting crime,” the Russian president has said

President Vladimir Putin has condemned the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “disgusting crime,” offering his condolences to the victim’s family and close associates.

Speaking during an extended Q&A session following his address to the plenary session of the Valdai forum in southern Russia on Thursday, the Russian leader pointed to the danger of polarization in societies.

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on a university campus in the US state of Utah on September 10, while speaking at a public event. According to investigators, a sniper fired a single shot from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. He was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead later that afternoon.

”This is a disgusting crime, even more so because it happened live on air, in fact, we all saw it. It truly looked repulsive, terrible. First, of course, I offer my condolences to Kirk’s family and all his loved ones. We sympathize and share in their grief,” the Russian leader said.

Putin went on to suggest that the assassination reflects the profound divisions within American society.

”This is a sign of what happens, a deep rift in society. There is no need to escalate the situation from our side because the political leadership tries to set it straight in domestic policy. I think the the US is going this way,” Putin said.