Ukraine politician linked to Trump associates says he will testify in Mueller probe

A Ukrainian politician who reportedly worked with Trump associates on a peace plan between Ukraine and Moscow-backed rebels has been called to testify in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s election meddling, Politico reported on Monday.

The politician, Andrii Artemenko, told Politico he couldn’t provide details about his upcoming testimony in front of a grand jury but said it was set to take place on Friday and that the peace plan would come up.

He told Politico that he received a subpoena last week and that he intended to comply and appear in person.

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Artemenko communicated with Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen and Trump’s business associate Felix Sater about the plan in early 2017, according to The New York Times.

Sater reportedly introduced Artemenko to Cohen, who then delivered the plan to the desk of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Cohen has denied this claim, saying he disposed of the document.

Soon after the plan was created, Flynn discussed ending Russian sanctions with the Russian ambassador in a call intercepted by intelligence officials. Flynn was fired from his White House post after lying to Vice President Pence about his communications dealing with Russian sanctions.

The peace plan was controversial in Ukraine for floating the possibility of the country leasing the Crimean Peninsula to Russia for 50 years. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Artemenko was thrown out of his political party after the reports about the plan broke. There is also an investigation in Ukraine to determine if he committed treason.

He claims he was being punished for opposing current Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.