Former US special envoy to Ukraine steps down at McCain Institute
Oct 7, 2019, 9:51 AM | Updated: 10:13 am
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX – The executive director of a conservative think tank with ties to Arizona State University has stepped down from the post, the McCain Institute announced Monday.
Kurt Volker also stepped down as special envoy to Ukraine amid a presidential impeachment inquiry the previous week.
Volker had led the institute, established in 2012 and named after U.S. Sen. John McCain and his family, (R-Ariz.), for seven years.
“Today, I informed ASU President (Michael) Crow and Mrs. (Cindy) McCain that I believe the recent media focus on my work as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations risks becoming a distraction from the accomplishments and continued growth of the Institute,” he said in a statement.
Volker had resigned as special envoy Sept. 27. Volker’s name came up in an intelligence whistleblower’s complaint about President Donald Trump’s handling of a phone call with his Ukranian counterpart.
The U.S. House launched the impeachment probe based on the whistleblower’s worry that Trump may have tried to push Voldymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, during a July telephone call.
The late senator’s institute oversees programs focused on national security, human trafficking and other issues.
“I want to thank Kurt Volker for his dedication and hard work in helping to build the McCain Institute into the results-driven, action-oriented institution that it is today,” McCain’s widow, chair of the board of trustees, said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
