Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says there was "no blackmail" in a phone call with US President Donald Trump that helped spark an impeachment inquiry.
Responding Thursday, 10 October, to questions from The Associated Press, Zelenskiy said that he only learned after their 25 July phone call that the US had blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine.
Trump asked Zelenskiy during the call to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, and Congressional Democrats believe Trump was holding up the aid to use as leverage to pressure Ukraine.
Zelenskiy said he thought the call would lead to an in-person meeting with Trump and wanted the American leader to come to Ukraine.
Zelenskiy is giving an all-day "press marathon" amid growing questions about his actions as president.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)