Russian president Vladimir Putin said that the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was a “disgusting crime” that reveals a “deep rift” in American society.Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, a forum of Russian experts, Putin also offered his condolences to Kirk’s family, nearly three weeks after the killing.“This is a disgusting atrocity, especially since it was broadcast live. We all saw it. It was truly horrific,” Putin said. “First and foremost, I extend my condolences to Mr Kirk’s family and all his loved ones. We sympathize and empathize.”He said the killing reflected deep divisions in US society but noted Washington’s leadership was focused on restoring domestic order without external escalation.“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 US is going this way.”Kirk was fatally shot in September while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University.His accused killer, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with seven offenses, including aggravated homicide, punishable by the death penalty, along with felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.Robinson appeared in court on Monday and is set to return on October 30, with prosecutors noting they have already compiled “voluminous” evidence against him, as reported by Fox News. Elsewhere in his remarks on Thursday, the Russian leader appeared to push back at Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger” that had been “fighting aimlessly” in Ukraine for the past three years.“A paper tiger? Then go deal with this paper tiger,” Putin said. “If we are fighting the entire Nato bloc, moving forward, advancing, and feeling confident, and we are still called a paper tiger—then what does that make Nato itself?”
