Despite his denials, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was feeling pressure from the Trump administration to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden before the July phone call with President Trump that led to impeachment hearings. The briefings showed that U.S. officials knew early that Zelensky was feeling pressure to investigate Biden, even though the Ukrainian leader later denied it in a joint news conference with Trump in September. Witnesses have detailed, in closed-door depositions and public impeachment hearings, that allies of Trump pressed Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son while withholding military aid and a coveted meeting between the newly elected Zelensky and Trump. Hochstein, a former diplomat who advised Biden on Ukraine matters during the Obama administration, also hasn’t been questioned in the impeachment proceedings. “In other words, no pressure,” Trump spoke up to add.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 18, 2019 16:52 UTC