Claims against Trump not true regarding Ukraine phone call, former US envoy says, according to newly released transcripts
In transcripts of closed-door interviews released by impeachment investigators Tuesday, Kurt Volker, former U.S. envoy to Ukraine, pushed back on the claim that President Trump sought to withhold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until Kiev committed to investigating allegations concerning the 2016 election -- while also denying that Trump was seeking “dirt” on former Vice President Joe Biden.
In transcripts of closed-door interviews released by impeachment investigators Tuesday, Kurt Volker, former U.S. envoy to Ukraine, pushed back on the claim that President Trump sought to withhold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until Kiev committed to investigating allegations concerning the 2016 election -- while also denying that Trump was seeking “dirt” on former Vice President Joe Biden.
The deposition transcripts, though, also reflect officials' concerns about the involvement of Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani in seeking politically related investigations out of Ukraine. Further, they offer varying accounts of whether a quid pro quo of some kind -- involving either a meeting or the release of U.S. military aid -- may have been presented.
One of the most significant revelations from Tuesday's transcripts release is that E.U. Ambassador Gordon Sondland revised his prior testimony. In a three-page addendum to his transcript, Sondland said he told a top Ukrainian official that U.S. aid would likely not resume until the country issues a corruption statement. This revelation was quickly hailed by Democrats of proof of the quid pro quo they have been alleging took place.
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