Amb. William Taylor delivered an explosive opening statement that has completely grabbed the attention of Washington and more...
's explosive testimony: "Amb. Sondland told me during a phone conversation that President Zelensky needed to make clear to President Trump that he, President Zelensky, was not standing in the way of "investigations."
"Ambassador Sonland said that he wanted make sure no one was transcribing or monitoring as they added President Zelensky to the call."
"President Trump wanted to see rule of law, transparency, but also , specifically , cooperation on investigations to "get to the bottom of things."
""They told me that Amb. Sondland had connected "investigations " with an Oval Office meeting for President Zelensky, which so irritated Amb. bolton that he abruptly ended the meeting, telling Dr. hill and Mr. Vindman that they should have nothing to do with domestic polices"
Taylor writes: Amb. Bolton "also directed Dr. Hill to "brief the lawyers" and referred to this as a "drug deal."
Taylor: "Amb. Sondland told me that he had recommended to President Zelensky that he use the phrase "I will leave no stone unturned" with regard to investigations.""
Taylor said he made a trip to the front line in northern Donbas where Ukranians fought Russian-led forces.. "Over 23,000 Ukrainians had been killed in the war, one or two a week. More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without US Assistance."
Taylor writes Morrison told him "President doesn't want to provide any assistance at all."
Taylor: "during that phone call, Amb. Sonland told me that President Trump had told him that he wants President Zelensky to state publicly that Ukraine will investigate Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election."
Taylor: "Amb. Sonland also told me that he now recognized that he had made a mistake by earlier telling the Ukrainian officials to whom he spoke that the White House meeting with President Zelensky was dependent on a public announcement of investigations.. 1/2
.."In fact, Amb. Sondland said. "everything" was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance. he said that President Trump wanted President Zelensky "in a public box" by making a public statement about ordering such investigations."
Taylor writes that according to Morrison, Trump told Amb. Sondland that he "was not asking for a 'quid pro quo.' but President Trump did insist that Preisdent Zelensky go to a microphone and say he is opening investigation of Biden and 2016 election interference.
Regarding the release of the July 25 call transcript that the White House said it got the Ukrainians green light. "The united States gave the Ukranians virtually no notice of the release, and they were livid. "
Taylor concludes giving two perspectives of the discussion on Ukraine. One is a "rancorous story about whistleblowers, Mr. Giuliani, side channels, quid pro quos, corruption and interference in the elections. In this story Ukraine is an object."
The second perspective is a "positive, bipartisan one" about a young nation, struggling to break free of its corrupt past, seeking independence from Russia and while developing "an inclusive, democratic nationalism, not unlike what we in america... feel about our best moments."
"It is this second story that I would like to leave you with today," Taylor concludes..
