In the interest of us all having a shared understanding of the sequence of events relating to the Ukraine defensive weapons funds being frozen and released I wanted to construct a simple timeline. I'm far from an expert in this so any and all feedback is welcome especially for important facts I've left out or points which some feel have not been demonstrated. I had at least one significant mistake in the earlier version in another thread so apologies for that if anyone was misled.
* accepted by Sparko for the sake of argument.
** Sparko raised concerns these were too speculative.
BTW, in putting this together I found a much more thorough timeline than I could dream of here. I think the above captures what I consider the main points I am aware of but again, anything I missed is more than welcome.
- Ukraine had met the requirements to release the aid.
This happened first in June 2018 and then again in May 2019. - During the July 25th phone call Trump asked for an investigation of the Bidens.
JENNIFER WILLIAMS, AIDE TO U.S. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: “I found the July 25th phone call unusual because, in contrast to other presidential calls I had observed, it involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter.” - 90 minutes after the call the effort to freeze the aid began*.
Article is on Business Insider, not a left wing publication. - UKR takes no significant steps to effect the release of the aid**.
I never heard of any steps they took. If anyone can point me to something they did do I would appreciate it.
Arguments from silence are weak but it's clearly in the administration's interest to publicize steps UKR took, even small ones, to secure the release of the aid. This would not be an incidental detail. - Lots of confusion among career officials about why the aid is being held and no clear answers given**.
One example is this damning clip from Fiona Hill. - Whisteblower complaint filed with Senator Burr.
August 12. - Meeting between Trump and his top advisors (Bolton, Pompeo, Esper) requesting that the aid be released.
Sunday in late August so either the 24th or 31st.
Linked article is to the Washington Examiner which is considered a conservative publication. - Senator Ron Johnson calls Trump asking him to release aid.
Article quotes Johnson as saying "I understand that most of President Trump's advisers wanted the military aid released,".
August 31. - The inspector general notifies the house of the Whisteblower complaint and deems it credible.
“my determination of a credible urgent concern”
September 9 ! - The aid is released on September 11.
- Trump reiterates his request for UKR (and China) to investigate the Bidens.
October 4th.
* accepted by Sparko for the sake of argument.
** Sparko raised concerns these were too speculative.
BTW, in putting this together I found a much more thorough timeline than I could dream of here. I think the above captures what I consider the main points I am aware of but again, anything I missed is more than welcome.
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