Diplomat Bill Taylor testifies two channels were created for Ukraine policy, 'one regular, one irregular'

Bill Taylor, a top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine who has emerged as a key figure of interest in the Trump impeachment inquiry, told Congress on Tuesday that there were "two channels" for Trump administration policymaking on Ukraine — "one regular, one irregular."

Taylor's testimony in a closed-door deposition before several House committees was described to Fox News by sources familiar with the session. The acting ambassador to Ukraine is seen as a key witness in the probe of whether President Trump was engaged in a "quid pro quo" by holding up aid to the country amid a push for politically related investigations, with lawmakers focusing on his past text messages discussing Trump's dealings with Ukraine.

Describing administration policy-making in Ukraine, Taylor said the "regular" channel would be through traditional State Department channels, according to sources. The "irregular channel," he told lawmakers, was through European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland, former special envoy Kurt Volker, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani and outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

According to sources, the State Department tried to keep Taylor from testifying. But the Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena, making Tuesday’s appearance a “deposition.” Taylor is complying with the subpoena and answered questions from both sides.

Text messages recently turned over to Congress showed Taylor and other U.S. officials battling internally last month over Trump’s efforts to encourage Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden’s past business practices in the country amid discussions over U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Hunter Biden is the son of Joe Biden, the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate.