Does it matter if Trump explicitly told Ukraine: no Biden investigation, no military aid?

Sen. Chris Murphy on Trump and Ukraine
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/MSNBC)

In comments to reporters at the United Nations on Monday, President Trump flip-flopped on whether he would release a transcript of his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, insisted he had not pressured Zelensky to investigate leading 2020 Democratic challenger Joe Biden, and appeared to deny making such an investigation a prerequisite for releasing nearly $400 million in approved military aid. "I did not make a statement that you have to do this or I'm not going to give you aid," Trump said. "I wouldn't do that."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.