Ambassador Volker testified that "while executing my duties, I kept my colleagues at the State Department and National Security Council informed and also briefed Congress about my actions."[1] Ambassador Volker and Ambassador Sondland also communicated regularly with Ambassador Bill Taylor once he became the chargé d'affaires, a.i., in Kyiv.[2] These briefings went as high as the Counselor to the Secretary of State, Ulrich Brechbuhl.[3]
In his public testimony, Ambassador Sondland explained that it was "no secret" what he, Ambassador Volker, and Secretary Perry were doing. As he stated, "[w]e kept the NSC apprised of our efforts, including specifically our efforts to secure a public statement from the Ukrainians that would satisfy President Trump's concerns."[4] Ambassador Sondland testified that "everyone was in the loop," although he conceded that he "presumed" a connection between investigations and security assistance without speaking to President Trump, Acting Chief of Staff Mulvaney, or Mayor Giuliani.[5]
9. Although some in the U.S. foreign policy establishment bristled, the roles of Ambassador Volker, Ambassador Sondland, and Secretary Perry and their interactions with Mayor Giuliani did not violate the law or harm national security.
Evidence suggests that some in the U.S. foreign policy establishment disliked the involvement of Ambassador Volker, Ambassador Sondland, and Secretary Perry in the U.S.Ukrainian relationship. Some also expressed discomfort with Mayor Giuliani's interactions with Ukrainian officials. However, the use of private citizens, such as Mayor Giuliani, to assist effectuating U.S. foreign policy goals on specific issues is not per se inappropriate and the Democrats' witnesses testified that the use of private citizens can sometimes beneficial. There is no evidence that the arrangement here violated any laws or harmed national security.
Some of the Democrats' witnesses criticized the non-traditional diplomacy. Ambassador Taylor testified about his concern for what he characterized as "two channels" of U.S. policymaking in Ukraine: a regular, State Department channel and an "irregular, informal" channel featuring Ambassador Volker, Ambassador Sondland, Secretary Perry, and Mayor Giuliani.[6] Deputy Assistant Secretary Kent testified that he was concerned that discussions were occurring outside the "formal policy process."[7]
Dr. Hill, too, disapproved of a non-traditional channel of communication, testifying that she disagreed with Ambassador Volker's decision to engage with Mayor Giuliani.[8] Dr. Hill
- ↑ Volker transcribed interview, supra note 60, at 19.
- ↑ See generally text messages exchanged between Kurt Volker and Gordon Sondland [KV00000036-39].
- ↑ Volker transcribed interview, supra note 60, at 59.
- ↑ Impeachment Inquiry: Ambassador Gordon Sondland, supra note 56.
- ↑ Id.
- ↑ Taylor deposition, supra note 47, at 23-24.
- ↑ Kent deposition, supra note 65, at 266-67.
- ↑ Hill deposition, supra note 12, at 113-14. Ambassador Sondland recounted that when he met with Dr. Hill prior to her departure from the White House in mid-July, she was "pretty upset about her role" in the Administration and
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