Sondland Criticizes Trump Over Efforts to Pressure Ukraine

WASHINGTON—Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, criticized President Trump over his efforts to enlist Ukraine in investigating a political rival and said he and other U.S. officials were “disappointed” by the president’s directive to work with Rudy Giuliani on Ukraine matters.

Mr. Sondland made the comments in prepared testimony to House committees as part of their impeachment inquiry, which is examining the president, his personal lawyer Mr. Giuliani and top diplomats’ dealings with Ukraine. Democrats have accused the president of abusing the power of his office to pressure a foreign country to pursue investigations that could benefit his re-election campaign. Mr. Trump has dismissed the inquiry as a hoax and denies wrongdoing.

The testimony Thursday, as with other recent witnesses, is taking place in a closed session. The Wall Street Journal viewed a copy of Mr. Sondland’s opening statement to the committees.

Meanwhile, a top White House official said President Trump’s decision to hold up aid to Ukraine last summer was tied to his demand that Kyiv investigate matters related to the 2016 election, but defended the stance as a standard part of foreign policy.

Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said a separate request Mr. Trump later made—that Ukraine also investigate the Bidens—wasn’t part of the aid conditions. In his remarks to reporters Thursday, Mr. Mulvaney said he was “100% comfortable” with Mr. Giuliani’s role as Mr. Trump’s outside adviser on Ukraine and also his personal lawyer.

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