THE TRUMP SABOTAGE OF UKRAINE
Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment came from accusations that he abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden’s son, Hunter. During a July 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump asked for the investigation while withholding nearly $400 million in military aid meant to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia. By blocking this aid, Trump put Ukraine’s security at risk to serve his personal political interests.
A whistleblower exposed the call, leading to an investigation by the House of Representatives. The inquiry found that Trump’s administration had coordinated efforts to pressure Ukraine. In December 2019, the House impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. His actions weakened Ukraine’s defense against Russia and harmed U.S. national security. Though the Senate acquitted him in 2020, the impact on Ukraine was already felt.
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MARCH 29, 2016
Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Viktor Shokin is fired after it is demanded by Vice President Joseph Biden. The demand for that firing in contrast to needed aid for Ukraine’s defense was attributed to Shokin’s failure to fight corruption.
NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Trump is elected president
JAN to FEB 2018
Rudy Giuliani meets with Yuriy Lutsenko
FEBRUARY 15, 2019
The FY2019 federal budget, passed at midnight, includes nearly $400 million in military aid aimed at bolstering Ukraine and NATO’s efforts to resist Russian forces. However, despite White House assurances, the disbursement of these funds to Ukraine is delayed for several months.
APRIL 18, 2019
The redacted Mueller report is released on the Russian interference and Trump campaign knowledge and cooperation with Russian operations.
APRIL 21, 2019
Actor Volodymyr Zelensky wins election in Ukraine.
MAY 6, 2019
United States Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovich was removed after a long effort by Trump to take her out.
MAY 9, 2019
a plan to go to Ukraine is announced in the New York Times by Ken Vogel. In his article, he stated: “Mr. Giuliani’s planned trip, which has not been previously reported, is part of a monthslong effort by the former New York mayor and a small group of Trump allies working to build interest in the Ukrainian inquiries. Their motivation is to try to discredit the special counsel’s investigation; undermine the case against Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump’s imprisoned former campaign chairman; and potentially to damage Mr. Biden, the early front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.”
MAY 13, 2019
United States Attorney General WIlliam Barr launches effort to undermine the Mueller Report.
JUNE 13, 2019
Donald Trump tells ABC News that he would accept foreign government assistance in elections. The Federal Elections Commission responded that it was illegal to do so.
JULY 19, 2019
Kurt Volker and Gordon Sondland about a conversation with Giuliani, Andriy Yermak to get Zelenskyy to announce and investigation into Hunter Biden.
JULY 24, 2019
Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before congress about the report.
JULY 25, 2019
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR
During the call, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for U.S. military aid and expressed interest in purchasing more Javelin anti-tank missiles to help Ukraine defend against Russian forces. In response, Trump asked Zelenskyy to “do us a favor” and shifted the conversation toward a debunked conspiracy theory related to the 2016 U.S. election, suggesting Ukraine investigate the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which had uncovered Russian interference.
rump also asked Zelenskyy to investigate Hunter Biden and his father, Joe Biden, who was running for president at the time. Trump claimed that Joe Biden, as Vice President, had improperly pressured Ukraine to fire a prosecutor investigating Burisma, a company where Hunter Biden served on the board. Trump urged Zelenskyy to coordinate with his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, and U.S. Attorney General William Barr on these investigations. Toward the end of the call, Trump invited Zelenskyy to visit Washington, D.C.
AUGUST 12, 2019
Inspector General for the Intelligence Community, Michael Atkinson, received whistleblower complaint.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2019
Zelenskyy meets with VP Pence