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The real issue is motive for the quid pro quo. That is the battlefield.
<><> Was it done in pursuit of criminal justice, or to dig political dirt?
<><>Trump had reasonable belief a US crime had been committed in Ukraine by a US citizen.
<><>That meets the US law threshold WRT to an investigation.
<><> Also makes the request to Ukraine not only legal, but required by treaty.

Excellent points.

WHY IS THIS BEING WITH-HELD FROM AMERICANS?
Pres Trump is being impeached for following US law initiated by then-Pres Clinton.

Treaty Between the United States of America and Ukraine on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,”
negotiated by then-President William Clinton and ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2000.

========================================

Perhaps the Clintons do not want their activities with Ukraine exposed?

<><> A 2015 WSJ report includes a chart of “foreign donors” to the Clinton Foundation showing “Ukraine” as a top donor among a list of large donors including “foreign individuals and their foundations and companies” while Clinton was secretary of state from Jan. 21, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2013.

<><> Victor Pinchuk, a former Ukrainian parliamentarian and businessman whose father-in-law is a former president of Ukraine is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.”

<><> The Clinton Foundation publicly reports, and its foundation spokesman confirmed, that other foreign entities have given more than the Pinchuk Foundation (which is listed as having given between $10 million and $25 million).

<><> Between 2009 and 2013, including when Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, the Clinton Foundation received at least $8.6 million from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation based in Kiev, Ukraine, the Journal reported.

<><> In 2008, “Mr. Pinchuk made a five-year, $29 million commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative (a wing of the foundation that coordinates charitable projects) “to train future Ukrainian leaders and professionals to modernize Ukraine,” according to the Clinton Foundation.

<><> Several alumni of the Clinton program are current members of the Ukrainian Parliament.

<><> Ukranian Pinchuk was especially generous-—not only blanketing the Clinton Foundation with money, he hired Hillary for a $300,00 speech to help him boost Ukraine’s creds; even Chelsea got into the act.

<><> CIRCA 2013——Ukranian billionaire Viktor Pinchuk hires Hillary to give a speech at a Ukraine forum discussing regime change, exiting Russia....and hitting up the US for more foreign aid.

The real issue is motive for the quid pro quo. That is the battlefield.

<><> Was it done in pursuit of criminal justice, or to dig political dirt?

I made this point at the start. And it should have been Trump's position all along.

Also makes the request to Ukraine not only legal, but required by treaty....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3795238/posts

MPs demand Zelensky, Trump investigate suspicion of U.S.-Ukraine corruption involving $7.4 bln

Interfax-Ukraine ^ | November 20, 2019