White House delayed Ukraine trade decision amid aid hold-up: report
By Marty Johnson - 10/24/19 04:47 PM EDT
White House delayed Ukraine trade decision amid aid hold-up: report
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White House officials delayed a trade agreement with Ukraine in late August, around the same time President Trump was withholding security aid to the country, the Washington Post reported on Thursday.
The decision came after then-national security adviser John Bolton warned Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that President Trump would likely oppose any assistance to Kiev, the Post reported. Around the same time, the administration was withholding nearly $400 million in aid to the country.
The decision suggests the Trump administration's actions toward Ukraine went beyond holding up the security-related aid. Trump is under scrutiny over allegations that he delayed the funds as he sought to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 presidential contender.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/467360-white-house-delayed-ukraine-trade-decision-amid-aid-hold-up-report
