INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
World leaders denounced a deadly attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall on Friday that killed more than 60 people and wounded over
100.Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the Crocus City venue ahead of the start of a rock concert, opened fire and threw a
grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene.The assault was claimed by the Islamic
State group.Here are the condemnations, offers of condolences and expressions of solidarity from governments around the
world.RussiaPresident Vladimir Putin wished a speedy recovery to the wounded victims and conveyed his thanks to doctors, Russia's deputy
prime minister Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Saturday after meeting with him.Putin has yet to comment
publicly on the attack.UkraineUkraine, which has been facing a Russian military offensive for the past two years, had "nothing to do" with
the attack, presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram.The main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian defense ministry said
"the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on Putin's orders," alleging that
official name.The UN Security Council also offered its condolences and urged all states "to cooperate actively" with the Russian government
and other authorities to hold perpetrators and backers of "these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.""The
members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack," their statement said.The United
StatesThe White House sent its condolences to the victims of the "terrible" shooting, saying it was trying to get more information."Our
thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters
"The images are just horrible and just hard to watch."The White House also said that the United States warned Russian authorities earlier in
March about a "planned terrorist attack" possibly targeting "large gatherings" in Moscow.ChinaPresident Xi Jinping "strongly condemned" the
attack and sent his condolences to Putin, state media reported.Xi "stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns the
terrorist attack and firmly supports the Russian government's efforts to safeguard its national security and stability," Xinhua news agency
said.The EUThe European Union said it was "shocked and appalled" by the Moscow attack."The EU condemns any attacks against civilians
Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected," said an EU spokesman.FranceFrench President Emmanuel Macron said he "strongly
condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State," according to the Elysee Palace."France expresses its solidarity with the
victims, their loved ones and all the Russian people," the Palace said.Germany"The images of the terrible attack on innocent people in
Crocus City Hall near Moscow are horrific
The background must be investigated quickly," Germany's Foreign Office said on X, alongside condolences for the victims'
families.ItalyItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the attack an "odious act of terrorism.""The horror of the massacre of innocent
civilians in Moscow is unacceptable," Meloni said in a statement, expressing her "full solidarity with the affected people and the victims'
families."SpainSpain said it was "shocked" by the attack, saying it "condemns any form of violence.""Our solidarity with the victims, their
families and the Russian people," the Spanish Foreign Ministry wrote on X.SwedenThe Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry said on X that it was
AuthorityThe presidency of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack and "affirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian
leadership and the friendly people of Russia, emphasizing its keenness on stability in the friendly Russian Federation," according to the
official Wafa news agency.SyriaIn a letter to Putin, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the attack was linked to the "painful defeats of
neo-Nazism" in Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine.He said "we condemn this brutal act and all the bloodshed committed by
terrorists around the world" and pledged to support Putin "in our joint war against terrorism and cross-border extremism."IranIranian
President Ebrahim Raisi, in a message to Putin, expressed his condolences, according to the presidency website.Raisi also called for serious
action by the international community to punish the plotters and perpetrators.TurkeyTurkey's Foreign Ministry Condemned "this heinous
terrorist attack on innocent civilians" and sent condolences to the Russian people and government.African UnionMoussa Faki Mahamat, chairman
of the African Union Commission, said on X that he was "shocked to learn of the horrific terror attack in Moscow."He expressed solidarity
with the Russian people and government "following this heinous attack."Venezuela"We express our support for President Vladimir Putin and
raise our voice to categorically reject any act of violence," said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on X.MexicoMexico's foreign affairs
ministry said it "rejects any act of violence against civilian lives."India"India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of
the Russian Federation in this hour of grief," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X, denouncing the "heinous terrorist attack."JapanJapan
condemned the attack, extended its condolences to the bereaved and expressed "its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured," according
to a statement from foreign ministry press secretary Kobayashi Maki.
