Ron Johnson discussed conspiracy theory with Ukrainian diplomat 2weeks before Trump sought invest [View all]

Report: Ron Johnson discussed conspiracy theory with Ukrainian diplomat two weeks before Trump sought investigation


https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/28/ron-johnson-met-ukrainian-diplomat-two-weeks-before-trump-call/3942618002/


Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Updated 7:12 p.m. CT Oct. 28, 2019


MADISON - U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson discussed a conspiracy theory about Ukrainian involvement in the 2016 election with a Ukrainian diplomat this summer, further drawing the Republican from Oshkosh into issues at the heart of the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

The Washington Post reported Monday that Johnson met with Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko for at least 30 minutes in July. Telizhenko told the newspaper he talked to Johnson about an unsubstantiated claim that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 election and that in addition to his conversation with Johnson he met with Senate staff for about five hours.



.................Johnson and his aides have repeatedly declined to answer questions from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for more than two weeks.

He has declined to say whether he believes he could participate in proceedings in the Senate if the House votes to impeach Trump. Two ethics experts told the Journal Sentinel this month that Johnson should consider recusing himself from a vote on removing Trump because of Johnson's involvement in the matter.

Johnson's name has come up in key closed-door testimony over impeachment.
'Irregular channel' on Ukraine

Johnson attended a May 23 Oval Office meeting where an “irregular channel began” for U.S. foreign policy with Ukraine, diplomat William Taylor testified last week.

At that meeting, Trump directed those in the meeting to talk to his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, about his concerns with Ukraine, according to testimony this month from Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

“It was apparent to all of us that the key to changing the president's mind on Ukraine was Mr. Giuliani,” Sondland said in his testimony.

Johnson told the Washington Post he did not recall Trump mentioning Giuliani at the meeting. .................................