PARIS, March 23, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - 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.

- Russia -

President 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.

- Ukraine -

Ukraine, 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 defence ministry said "the
terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the
Russian special services on Putin's orders", alleging that the aim was to
"further escalate and expand the war" with Ukraine.

- The UN -

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned "in the
strongest possible terms today's terrorist attack", spokesman Farhan Haq said
in a statement.

Guterres "conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the
people and the Government of the Russian Federation," he added, referring to
Russia by its 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 States -

The 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.

- China -

President Xi Jinping "strongly condemned" the attack and sent his condolences
to Putin, state media reported.

Xi "stressed that China opposes all form 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 EU -

The 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.

- France -
French 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.

- Italy -
Italian 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".

- Spain -

Spain 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.

- Israel -

"Saddened by tonight's tragic events in Moscow. Our hearts go out to the
families of the victims and to all those affected," Israeli foreign minister
Israel Katz posted on X.

- Palestinian Authority -

The presidency of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack and
"affirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian leadership and the
friendly people of Russia, emphasising its keenness on stability in the
friendly Russian Federation," according to the official Wafa news agency.

- 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.

- Mexico -

Mexico'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".

- Japan -

Japan 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.