A ‘Crazy’ Plan: How U.S. Diplomats Discussed the Pressure on Ukraine

<p>The House Democrats leading the impeachment inquiry of President Trump called their first witness: Kurt Volker, a top American diplomat involved in the negotiations with Ukraine. We look at what Mr. Volker’s testimony — and the text messages he turned over to Congress — revealed about the inquiry’s direction. Guest: Julian E. Barnes, who covers national security for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/thedaily" target="_blank">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. </p><p>Background coverage: </p><ul><li>A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/04/us/politics/ukraine-text-messages-volker.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">text exchange</a> appears to show a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/kurt-volker-impeachment.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">dispute among American diplomats over whether President Trump was seeking a quid pro quo</a> from Ukraine.</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/06/us/politics/second-whistleblower-trump-ukraine.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">A second whistle-blower</a>, said to have firsthand knowledge about the president’s dealings with Ukraine, has come forward.</li></ul>