Blade, you literally just said in your last set of posts that Volker said that August is when the Ukrainians became aware of the conditions. I’ve cited reports saying that the Ukrainians knew of the quid pro quo earlier, but let’s put that aside for a second and go with what Volker said which was August
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The texts next show Sondland and Volker connecting on Aug. 9, with Sondland informing Volker that Morrison at the NSC was prepared to “get dates”—presumably for a possible White House visit—“as soon as Yermak confirms.” “How did you sway him?” Volker asks, implying that Morrison may have been opposed to a White House meeting. “Not sure
did[,]” Sondland writes, “I think potus really wants the deliverable[.]” The nature of the deliverable isn’t clear—but subsequent texts suggest that it has to do with the investigations being advocated for by Giuliani. “To avoid misundestandigs [sic], might be helpful to ask [Yermak] for a draft statement (embargoed) so that we can see exactly what they propose to cover,” Sondland proposes, to which Volker agrees. The two then reach out to Giuliani for guidance to, in Volker’s words, “make sure I advise Z correctly as to what he should be saying[.]”
The next day, Aug. 10, Volker raises this statement with Yermak. Yermak agrees that “it’s possible” but pushes for a confirmed White House visit date for Zelensky first. “Once we have a date,” Yermak makes clear, “will call for a press briefing, announcing upcoming visit and outlining vision for the reboot of US-UKRAINE relationship, including among other things Burisma and election meddling in investigations[.]” Volker confirms that this is the sort of statement he and Sondland had proposed, responding: “Sounds great!” A few days later, on Aug. 13, Sondland and Volker trade texts ironing out the text of a draft statement to be presented to Yermak
The more information becomes public about L’Affaire Ukrainienne, the wider and deeper the controversy becomes. Late on Oct. 3, Congress released perhaps the most
www.lawfareblog.com
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We know for a fact that the aid was only released September 11th, two days after the whistleblower revealed the extortion plot. We also know that Z was in the US and was going to sit down with Fareed Zakaria and announce the Biden investigation....if not for the stroke of luck of the plot being exposed.
It is simply unfactual to claim that the Ukrainians didn’t know they were being extorted.
As far as Clinton (who I wouldn’t vote for if he was hypothetically on the ballot today), I think you know deep down that you’re making a false equivalence. We all agree lying is unethical, and Clinton shouldn’t have lied under oath. Even if Clinton was subject to a witchhunt that began with whitewater and somehow ended up in the bedroom, can we all agree that unlawfully withholding $400 million in congressionally appropriated funds for political gain is more akin to what the founders had in mind in regard to impeachment? Thomas Jefferson had a bazillion illegitimate children. Benjamin Franklin was a notorious womanizer. These men were still patriots, no?
www.nationalreview.com
