There’s a new political controversy in the US – involving Donald Trump, foreign nationals, questions about legal and ethical behaviour, and allegations against a political rival.
This feels a bit like déjà vu from 2016, with Russia, then-candidate Trump and Hillary Clinton, but it’s a new country (Ukraine) and a new cast of characters (Joe Biden and his son Hunter).
Mr Trump is still right smack in the middle, of course.
The story can be difficult to follow, so here are some answers to the most pressing questions.
Mr Trump’s most ardent critics accuse him of using the powers of the presidency to bully Ukraine into digging up damaging information on a political rival, Democrat Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump and his supporters allege the former vice-president abused his power to pressure Ukraine to back away from a criminal investigation that could implicate his son, Hunter.
Mr Biden is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination to take on Mr Trump next year.
In other words, it is nothing less than the White House at stake.
Mr
Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation on July 25, this year.
The US president is alleged to have pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate former Vice-President Biden.
Mr Trump may have also discussed the $250m (£201m) in military aid Congress approved for Ukraine – aid that the Trump administration had delayed releasing until mid-September.
The Washington Post and other US media say Mr Trump told his acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, to hold back the aid at least a week before the phone call.
Mr Trump said that he spoke to Mr Zelensky about the problem of corruption and also about Mr Biden and son Hunter among other issues.
It was a “nice conversation” on the phone – a “perfect” call.
The US gives aid to Ukraine so “we want to make sure that country is honest,” he added.
On Twitter, Mr Trump has been more blunt, saying the controversy was created by Democrats and the “Crooked Media”.
He has also tacitly questioned the “supposed” whistleblower’s patriotism.
Congressional Democrats say the phone call – raised by a whistleblower in a formal complaint – is important because it helps to shed light on the president’s dealings with the foreign leader. -BBC
