Additional economic sanctions on russia. This is just over two hours. Go. The committee will come to order. Twant to welcome our panelists and thank them for taking time co to or to share their perspective with committee on developments in ukraine, which appear only slightly less ominous than they did in act one of this crisis. Now, were in the beginning of t act twhao with the successful election of a president by the ukrainian people, intion of pren internationally certifie certifd elections, which is a victory for ukrainians struggle for freedom. Divisions between east and west, significantly president Petro Poroshenko won districts from one end of ukraine to the other. It seems clear that with russias violation of sovereignty, it unified ukrainians better than before. The challenges president poroshenko has are daunting. He must rebuild an economy weakened by the previous president s corruption. While countering prudent in the east. We are committed to working with , tonew governme
Including postage if one was the seat for political reasons. This is no rush of water due to increased use of militant forces of the Russian Federation restore law and order stability and protection of the day. Also afghan president as people of ghana stand on end a war that was and they are planning to washingtons involvement in this country as the clock ticks toward the u s troop withdrawal. Mosque in how you watching Rt International with me rated action. A present with us as theres no need to use Russian Military force in ukraine. He however stressed that mosque is deeply concerned by the rise of neo nationalist groups in the country and get more now on this from the marina costume. Marine up quite a detailed statement from the russian president there on the crisis in ukraine due to house more. Absolutely appalled by their fruits in every answer a simple russia has been saying from day one no one since the setting sun in the war would be great for taking all four consecutive region
What weve been discussing w today, which involved in a regular channel, was a request that went against u. S. Policy that have have undermined the rule of law and our longstanding policy goals in ukraine, as in other countries in the postsoviet space. Those policies which were indeed championed by ambassador yovanovitch. You also testified on october 15th in the deposition about fundamental reforms necessary for ukraine to fight corruption and to transform the country. And you t cited the importance reforming certain institutions, notably was investigating President Trumps political opponents a part of those necessary reforms . Was it on that list of yours or indeed was it on any list . No, they werent. In fact, historically, is it not true that a major problem in the ukraine has been its misuse
of prosecutors, precisely to conduct investigation of political opponents. Thats a legacy i dare suggest from the soviet era when, as you stated in your testimony, prosecutors like the kgb were
It is 12 00 in new york. Were following what has already been a dramatic day of testimony on capitol hill from two key witnesses, former nsc Senior Adviser fiona hill and current u. S. Diplomat david holmes, both witnesses raising alarms today about the conduct they witnessed between the Trump Administration and ukraine, namely the conditioning of both military aid and a white house meeting on a commitment from the ukrainians into those investigations designed to hurt the bidens, a Smear Campaign against Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch who was apparently standing in the way. The conduct of both of todays witness witnesses, they believed lives could be jeopardized in ukraine. Here is some of the dramatic testimony of fiona hill and david holmes. The barrage of allegations
directed against ambassador yovanovitch, a career ambassador, is unlike anything i have seen in my professional career. I heard ambassador sondland say to the president , yes, he was in ukraine, and went on to say
That a businessman would have knowledge is limited in any when he is about to sign a transaction. But if you go after his integrity, right, if you go check. And by that he clearly meant after his public service, if you go after his military record, that President Trump was youre done. Thinking about or had in front but chuck, isnt there a high stakes problem with that, for of him the possibility of providing Security Assistance to trump and the republicans to say, because then the next question is, okay, who does know ukraine. It was similar to writing a check to someone who youre what trump said . Bolton and trump. About to send. He used that analogy very and they dont want those folks to come before congress. I absolutely agree. Im saying if there is a path to clearly to indicate that this try and point out that he has limited knowledge, thats the would be this would require path and its a narrow one. Something. If that person owed him does it ultimately work . No, it doesnt. Right.