Section: The Washington Times (USA)
Diplomat says of Trump Ukraine call: ‘I remember it vividly’
WASHINGTON (AP) – The phone call State Department official David Holmes overheard between President Donald Trump and Ambassador Gordon Sondland lasted just two minutes. But it won’t be easily forgotten. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Holmes told Trump impeachment investigators, “someone calling the President from a mobile...
Pence aide’s testimony renews focus on VP’s Ukraine role
WASHINGTON (AP) – He knew nothing about the Ukrainian backchannel, his aides say. He was unaware of a pull-aside meeting in Ukraine set up by a member of his own delegation, they insist. And he was in the dark about a months-long campaign to push Ukraine’s leader to investigate President … …read more Source:: The...
David Holmes transcript: Ukraine ‘came to understand’ there was a quid pro quo
State Department official David Holmes told the impeachment inquiry that he thought Ukraine leaders got the message that President Trump wouldn’t provide military aid until they met his demands. According to transcripts of his closed-door interview with lawmakers, Mr. Holmes was alarmed by Mr. Trump’s efforts in Ukraine that he...
AP Exclusive: US officials knew of Ukraine’s Trump anxiety
WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. State Department officials were informed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was feeling pressure from the Trump administration to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden even before the July phone call that has led to impeachment hearings in Washington, two people with knowledge of the matter told...
Time and again, envoy’s Ukraine tale differs from others
WASHINGTON (AP) – The witnesses who have testified publicly and privately in the House impeachment inquiry so far have generally told a consistent tale. Then there’s Gordon Sondland. The U.S. ambassador to the European Union has said he cannot recall many of the episodes involving him that other witnesses have … …read more...
Russia hands back 3 seized ships to Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry says three Ukrainian naval ships that were seized in a shooting confrontation nearly a year ago have been returned. The two gunboats and a tug were taken by the Russian coast guard on Nov. 25, 2018, as they passed through the Kerch Strait that … …read more Source:: The Washington...
What’s next: Impeachment hearings enter crucial stretch
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House impeachment hearings are entering a crucial second week as Democrats are set to hear from eight additional witnesses about President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Three State Department officials have already testified about their concerns as Trump pushed Ukraine to investigate Democrats and...
Russia providing mood music for House impeachment drama
WASHINGTON (AP) – For all the talk about Ukraine in the House impeachment inquiry, there’s a character standing just off-stage with a dominant role in this tale of international intrigue: Russia. As has so often been the case since President Donald Trump took office, Moscow provides the mood music for … …read more Source::...
Aide recounts actions tying Trump to delay in Ukraine funds
WASHINGTON (AP) – Gordon Sondland, President Donald Trump’s emissary to the European Union, had a message when he met with a top Ukrainian official. Sondland said vital U.S. military assistance to Ukraine might be freed up if the country’s top prosecutor “would go to the mike and announce that he … …read more...
Impeachment testimony comes from White House budget official
WASHINGTON (AP) – House impeachment investigators met in private Saturday with a White House budget official as the historic inquiry produces new testimony offering direct insight of President Donald Trump’s actions toward Ukraine. After a week of dramatic public hearings, investigators heard late Friday in closed session from State...
