UNITED STATES—Ambassador Kurt Volker testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss the relationship between the US and Ukraine, during a 10-page testimony.
Volker began is testimony with the following statement:
“Allow me to begin by stressing that you and the American people can be reassured and proud that the Department of State and the Department of Defense, and the professionals working there-civil and foreign service and military-have conducted themselves with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to the national interest. That is a testament to the strength of our people, our institution, and our country.”
He admitted that he was not present during the July 25 phone call between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, but did receive a readout of the conversation.
He relayed that he was aware of Former Vice President Joe Biden’s accusations, and that he cautioned the Ukrainians to distinguish between highlighting their own efforts to fight corruption domestically and doing anything that could be seen as impacting elections in the United States.
“To the best of my knowledge,” said Volker, “no such actions by Ukraine were ever taken at least in part I believe because of the advice I gave them.”
He stated that he did not know that Biden’s name was mentioned until he saw it in the press release.
“I was not aware that Vice President Biden’s name was mentioned, or a request was made to investigate him until the transcript of this call was released on September 25,” said Volker.
Volker assured Congress that he had no personal involvement. “At no time was I aware of or took part in an effort to urge Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden,” said Volker.
While executing his duties, Volker kept the State Department, National Security Council and Congress informed of his actions.
Negativity between the US and Ukraine may have been fueled by accusations by former Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko stating that certain Ukraine citizens potentially sought to influence the 2016 Presidential election by passing on information that would reach the Hillary Clinton campaign, and be detrimental to Donald Trump’s campaign.
Prosecutor General Lutsenko indicated that the company Burisma sought to garner the influence of Biden by paying fees to his son, Hunter Biden.
Volker relayed that information to Lutsenko which spilled out to the conservative news media. Volker indicated that Ukraine’s reputation of corruption was well deserved.
“Nonetheless, I believe these accusations of Lutsenko were themselves self-serving intended to make himself appear valuable to the United States so the United States might weigh in against his being removed from office by the new government,” said Volker.
In a meeting, Ambassador Volker and Ambassador Sondland noted that with Lutsenko still in office, every effort would have to be made to ensure nothing would be misconstrued for the 2020 US election.
