An explosive revelation has drawn new scrutiny over US-Ukraine relations as Donald Trump Jr demands accountability from Kiev following federal charges against a man who allegedly sought to acquire Ukrainian-sourced weapons in a plot to assassinate his father.

The alleged assassin, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested in September 2024 near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Routh, a convicted felon and self-proclaimed pro-Ukraine activist, is now facing federal charges for attempting to procure military-grade weaponry through contacts he believed were connected to Ukraine’s armed forces.

In court documents recently revealed by Fox News, prosecutors stated that Routh tried to acquire a Russian RPG grenade launcher and a US-made Stinger missile. He made his intentions clear through encrypted messages sent in August 2024: he wanted the weapons specifically to prevent Donald Trump from winning the 2024 presidential election.

“I need the equipment so that Trump don’t get elected,” Routh wrote in one message, reportedly believing he could secure arms due to the “chaos of war,” claiming that “one missing would not be noticed.”

While Routh was unsuccessful in acquiring the weapons, his attempt-and the implications surrounding it-have set off a firestorm in Washington, particularly among Trump’s allies.

Donald Trump Jr, in a tweet on April 8, demanded to know why Ukrainian authorities did not alert the US government of Routh’s attempt to obtain military weapons from Ukrainian contacts. His sharp criticism raised questions not just about the plot, but about the nature of intelligence sharing between Washington and Kiev.

“If you think it’s bad that Ukraine never said thank you for everything the United States has done for them,” Trump Jr. wrote on X, “the fact that they seemingly did not tell us that this sociopath literally tried to buy arms from them to assassinate my father seems like a much bigger deal. Wonder why?!?”

Routh’s alleged behavior paints a disturbing portrait of a man who was deeply entangled in foreign conflicts and ideological motivations. Despite being barred from owning firearms due to previous felony convictions, Routh traveled to Ukraine in 2022 in an attempt to join the Ukrainian military. Although his application was denied, he remained actively involved in the conflict, according to a Justice Department filing, including reportedly attempting to recruit former Afghan soldiers to fight for Ukraine.

His links to Ukraine, although informal, have become the centerpiece of an emerging political controversy that goes far beyond the courtroom.

Prosecutors allege that Routh meticulously laid the groundwork for his plot, leveraging encrypted apps to initiate weapons deals. Believing he was communicating with individuals connected to Ukraine’s military stockpiles, Routh laid out his plan in explicit terms. His messages reportedly referenced not only his desire to kill Trump but also his belief that the US would descend into chaos if Trump returned to office.

Thankfully, the deal never materialized, and law enforcement arrested Routh shortly after, preventing any potential escalation. He is currently in custody and faces a life sentence if convicted at his trial in September.

Yet, while the justice system moves forward, political leaders in the United States are increasingly focused on the diplomatic implications. The question remains: did Ukrainian authorities know about Routh’s efforts? And if so, why didn’t they inform the US government?

Trump Jr.’s comments reflect a growing segment of American conservatives who have grown increasingly skeptical of continued US aid to Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has funneled over $100 billion in military and humanitarian assistance to Kiev. But public support has started to wane, particularly among right-wing voters and politicians who question the long-term strategic benefit of supporting Ukraine.

The allegation that a pro-Ukraine militant may have attempted to assassinate a US presidential candidate-and that Ukrainian authorities may have had knowledge of it-could further erode support. At minimum, critics argue, Ukraine has an obligation to share information with US counterparts when such a high-profile individual is potentially at risk.

“If a US ally knew someone was trying to assassinate the leading opposition candidate and didn’t say anything, that’s a diplomatic crisis,” said one unnamed congressional aide familiar with the issue. “The American people deserve to know what Ukraine knew and when.”

Ukraine has not responded publicly to the allegations. The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to requests for comment. However, sources close to the case suggest that Routh never had direct access to real Ukrainian military channels and that his outreach was more aspirational than operational. Still, critics point out that even an attempted deal warrants serious investigation and full transparency from Kiev.

The political fallout from the revelations is likely to grow as the trial date nears and more details emerge. Donald Trump Jr.’s comments have reignited broader discussions about foreign influence, security risks, and the US government’s relationship with its allies.

In the current hyper-polarized environment, the alleged assassination plot could become a lightning rod issue during the 2024 campaign. If the Trump campaign chooses to highlight it, it may shift public opinion and put President Biden in the awkward position of defending a foreign ally amid accusations of negligence or complicity.

The situation also underscores the dangers posed by ideologically motivated lone actors, especially those who seek to entangle themselves in international conflicts. Routh’s reported attempt to use chaos in Ukraine as a smokescreen to commit violence on US soil is a chilling example of how global instability can have direct repercussions at home.

As the court prepares for what could be a high-profile and politically charged trial in September, many questions remain unanswered. Chief among them: did Ukraine know what Routh was trying to do? And if they did, why was Washington kept in the dark?

For now, Trump Jr is demanding those answers-and others may soon join him.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings