Giuliani associate: 'President Trump knew exactly what was going on' in Ukraine

The day the House submitted articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, a Ukraine-born associate of Trump’s lawyer said that “President Trump knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine during the White House's alleged pressure campaign at the center of Trump's upcoming trial.

Lev Parnas, who is alleged to have assisted in the pressure campaign,, said Trump and Giuliani were routinely informed of the behind-the-scenes developments in the work he did on their behalf in Ukraine.

“He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the president. I have no intent, I have no reason to speak to any of these officials,” Parnas told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in an interview.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham pushed back on Parnas' statements.

"These allegations are being made by a man who is currently out on bail for federal crimes and is desperate to reduce his exposure to prison," she said of Parnas, who is facing unrelated campaign finance charges. "The facts haven’t changed – the President did nothing wrong and this impeachment, which was manufactured and carried out by the Democrats has been a sham from the start."

In an interview with the New York Times, Parnas said he did not speak to Trump directly about his efforts, though he said he met the president on several occasions. But Giuliani told him he was keeping Trump updated, Parnas said.

Giuliani told the Times that Parnas was "a proven liar" who was seeking attention. The former New York mayor said it was "sad to watch how the Trump haters are using" Parnas.