Ukraine Opens Investigation Into Claims U.S. Ambassador Yovanovitch Was Monitored

Ukraine's national police are investigating allegations that U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was under surveillance in Kyiv last spring — an allegation made in WhatsApp messages between a U.S. politician and Lev Parnas.

"Ukraine cannot ignore such illegal activities on the territory of its own state," the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine said in a statement Thursday. The ministry says it's asking the FBI to help its inquiry.

The texts between Parnas and Robert F. Hyde, a Trump supporter and retired Marine who is running for Congress in Connecticut, suggested Yovanovitch was being monitored both electronically and in person, in an apparent breach of diplomatic security.

"They are moving her tomorrow," Hyde wrote in one message. He added, "The guys over they asked me what I would like to do and what is in it for them."

Ukrainian authorities say the allegation that an ambassador was "under illegal surveillance and her electronic gadgets were interfered [with] by the private persons at the request of the US citizens" suggests a possible violation of both its own laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects diplomats on foreign soil.

The texts were part of a cache of documents released Tuesday night by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, who said the messages were collected from Parnas' phone as Democrats compiled evidence to support President Trump's impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction.

In one message, Hyde told Parnas that Yovanovitch had turned off her phone and computer and that his associates in Ukraine would send updates on the ambassador's movements. He added, "They are willing to help if we/you would like a price ... Guess you can do anything in the Ukraine with money ... what I was told."