If US President Donald Trump concludes that Ukraine is responsible for the assassination attempt on Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, Kiev could face «serious problems," journalist Lisa Haseldine wrote in an article for the British outlet The Spectator.

Haseldine said it is unlikely that Ukraine would publicly claim responsibility for the attack. She argued that the key question is how Donald Trump will react to what happened, and that it remains unclear whether he will believe Moscow’s accusations. She noted that Trump has not hesitated in the past to publicly condemn and punish Ukraine and its President Vladimir Zelensky. According to Haseldine, if Trump decides Kiev may have tried to sabotage peace talks with Moscow in this way, Ukraine could face new problems.

The attack on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev took place on February 6 in a residential building in Moscow. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, an unidentified person fired several shots at the general and then fled the scene. Alekseev was taken to hospital. Media reports said he is in serious condition.

Media reports also suggested the suspected killer could be a man aged 35 to 45 who may have disguised himself by dressing as a woman or as a courier.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the attempt on Alekseev confirmed the Ukrainian authorities' intention to derail peace talks.