Mr. Zelensky subsequently agreed to make a public statement in a CNN interview, Mr. Sondland told Mr. Taylor, according to his testimony. He gave no indication in his prepared remarks that he ever spoke to Mr. Trump directly about the Ukraine matter. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Mr. Volker told Mr. Zelensky he needed to make his commitment to investigating corruption and alleged interference clear to Mr. Trump. On July 18, Mr. Taylor was told that Mr. Trump had ordered the nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine held. Mr. Taylor said he urged Mr. Sondland to push back on the president’s demands, and said Mr. Sondland pledged to try.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 22, 2019 13:25 UTC