Officials in Ukraine are said to be in the process of discussing a number of ways to improve their country’s standing with President Donald Trump in the wake of the fallout caused by the impeachment inquiry.
According to two CNN sources, such gestures may include announcing new investigations of potential benefit to President Trump, however it remains unclear what the probes would be centered around and when they might be announced.
One of the sources said Ukrainian officials acknowledged that any investigations would need to look at current issues, rather than just those of the past.
Trump came under fire for an now infamous July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s young president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in which he urged him to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter – along with exploring the now-debunked theory that the country interfered in the 2016 US election – while withholding some $400 million in military aid.
The question as to whether the aid was purposely withheld as part of a ‘Quid Pro Quo’ arrangement to better Trump’s political standing in next year’s elections later became the crux of the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
According to two CNN sources, such gestures may include announcing new investigations of potential benefit to President Trump, however it remains unclear what the probes would be centered around or when they’d be announced
Trump came under fire for an now infamous July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s young president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in which he urged him to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter – along with exploring the now-debunked theory as to whether the country interfered in the 2016 US election – while withholding some $400 million in military aid
Various witnesses have since testified both publicly and privately about various efforts made by members of the Trump administration, and the president’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to leverage Ukrainian officials into making a public declaration committing to carrying out the probes.
Zelensky was at one time believe to be scheduling an appearance on CNN to make the announcement – a move top US diplomat in Ukraine Bill Taylor strongly opposed against.
According to Taylor, the Zelensky eventually decided it was ‘a bad idea to interfere in other people’s elections’ and later cancelled the announcement.
Following months of relentless controversy, Zelensky has said in recent days that his country is ‘tired about Burisma,’ the Ukrainian energy company Hunter Biden once sat on the board of.
However, the Ukrainian leader failed to explicitly rule out conducted an investigation into Hunter’s appointment to the board.
The question as to whether the aid was purposely withheld as part of a ‘Quid Pro Quo’ arrangement to better Trump’s political standing in next year’s elections later became the crux of the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry
During public testimony last week, political counselor at the US Embassy in Kiev, David Holmes, said that Zelensky ‘withstood pressure for a long time’ to refrain from giving the announcement Trump was requesting.
Holmes also said that the Ukrainians still want things promised by the Trump administration that they haven’t yet received – including an invitation to the White House.
‘I think that continues to this day, I think they are being very careful – they still need us now, going forward,’ Holmes warned.
CNN’s sources allegedly reiterated Holmes’ caution, adding that Ukraine is not only incredibly aware of its dependance on the US for security assistance, they’re also hoping more support elsewhere.
However, the country’s officials are so far unsure of who they can work with or trust to make their case compelling enough to interest Trump, the sources say.
Many of the American officials who help oversee US-Ukraine relations have become embroiled in the impeachment probe and are viewed as to having lost the confidence of Trump, the Ukrainians allegedly believe.
As a result, the officials are said to be seeking a special envoy who has a direct communication with the US president.
During public testimony last week, political counselor at the US Embassy in Kiev, David Holmes (above), said that Zelensky ‘withstood pressure for a long time’ to refrain from giving the announcement Trump was requesting
Various witnesses have since testified both publicly and privately about various efforts made by members of the Trump administration, and the president’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to leverage Ukrainian officials into making a public statement of commitment to carrying out the probes
Former US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker had been viewed as an ideal candidate for the task before he vacated his position in late September.
Ukrainian officials have apparently inquired about who Volker’s replacement is likely to be, and how quickly that role will be filled – two questions which currently remain unclear.
During what is widely considered a particularly sensitive time for the Ukrainian government, the country’s officials are maling active efforts to reverse any negative perceptions.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Paris on December 9 to discuss the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Though the US is not participating in those talks, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus issued a statement of support for Ukraine ‘as it moves forward with peace negotiations.’