Trump's top Ukraine envoys had a very awkward group text about Trump withholding military aid
In a Sept. 9 text exchange between President Trump's three top official envoys to Ukraine, the highest-ranking U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, Bill Taylor, expressed concern about Trump's decision to withhold military aid to Kyiv, according to copies of the text messages obtained by ABC News. "As I said on the phone, I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign," Taylor wrote to Gordon Sondland, the U.S ambassador to the European Union, and Kurt Volker, until recently the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine.
After speaking with Trump, The New York Times reports, Sondland responded to Taylor: "Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump's intentions. The president has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo's of any kind. The president is trying to evaluate whether Ukraine is truly going to adopt the transparency and reforms that President Zelensky promised during his campaign. I suggest we stop the back and forth by text."
Sondland, a 62-year-old hotelier and major GOP donor who gave $1 million to Trump's inauguration, has "increasingly worked to establish himself as a central figure in Ukraine policy," the Times reports, an unusual move since Ukraine isn't part of the EU. "Mr. Sondland came to be seen in the administration as more loyal to Mr. Trump than was Mr. Volker," a protégé of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Times adds. Taylor, a former ambassador to Ukraine, is a career civil servant who assumed his role after Trump recalled U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in May.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The texts were handed to House impeachment investigators by Volker, who was deposed behind closed doors Thursday. Volker reportedly told House investigators he was never given an explanation for why Trump was withholding military aid to Ukraine. Trump released the aid on Sept. 11, as a whistleblower was warning that Trump had suspended the funds to pressure Ukraine to investigate a leading 2020 Democratic candidate. Volker resigned soon after.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published