Diplomat had ‘clear understanding’ of Ukraine quid pro quo

MARY CLARE JALONICK and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A State Department envoy told lawmakers it was his "clear understanding" the U.S. government intended to withhold military aid from Ukraine until the country committed to investigations sought by President Donald Trump, including into a political rival, according to a transcript of the closed-door interview released Wednesday. William Taylor told impeachment investigators he understood that the security assistance, and not just a White House meeting for Ukraine's new president, was conditioned on the country committing to investigations of Joe Biden and also Democrats' actions in the 2016 election. "That was my clear understanding, security assistance money would not come until the president committed to pursue t