Published 12:16 IST, September 22nd 2019
Ukraine Minister says Trump did not pressurize President Zelenskiy
Ukraine Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko Minister has said that Trump did not pressurize President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a telephone conversation in July
On September 22, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko has denied proposals U.S. President Donald Trump had put weight on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a telephone conversation in July. In an interview with an international media outlet, Prystaiko claimed that Ukraine was an independent state and would resist taking sides in the US Politics even if ‘in theory’ can do so. He further added that Kiev acknowledged the assistance provided by Washington.
Did Trump force Ukraine’s President?
According to the reports by the US media, it was revealed that Trump continuously forced Ukraine’s President to call for an investigation against Joe Biden, Trump's chief political competitor in the upcoming US Presidential elections. The incident took place during a telephonic conversation in July.
The conversation was revealed in a classified whistleblower complaint that led to turmoil in the US political battle between the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats asserted that this was a warning of a national security threat while the Republicans used it to attack Biden. Joe Biden will fight against Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Elections and is seen as one of the influential Democratic candidates.
Uncertainties in the issues
International media does not have any confirmation over the details of the whistleblower’s complaint. But, according to reports, a source well versed with the matter said that the whistleblower alleged Trump of multiple acts, and the complaint is not restricted to just a telephonic conversation between the two leaders. The source elected to remain anonymous in view of the sensitivity of the issue.
Prystaiko in his defence told the media that he understands the issues pertaining to his conversation with the US President and was never pressurized. He also added that the conversation was long and friendly with discussion on various issues requiring some serious answers.
Fanatic hit against Trump
Donald Trump denied the whistleblower’s complaint within the intelligence network as an attack against him. According to the international media, Trump had a conversation with Zelenskiy three weeks prior to the complaint was registered. Both the leaders, Trump and Zelenskiy are expected to meet at the United Nationa’s gathering to be held in New York. Prystaiko also claimed that Ukrainian President holds rights to keep the conversation confidential. He said in the interview, “I want to say that we are an independent state, we have our secrets.”
The call under investigation
The three Democratic-led House committee is investigating the July 25 telephonic conversation to find out whether Donald Trump and his personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani pressurized the Ukraine Government to aid Trump’s re-election campaign. The US media reported that Trump mentioned eight times to investigate against Biden and Biden’s son.
Updated 17:13 IST, September 22nd 2019