Diplomat David Holmes is delivering his opening statement -

"I am not a political appointee or engaged in U.S. politics in any way. It is not my job to cover or advise on U.S. politics. "

HOMES: our support for Ukrainian democratic resistance to Russian aggression, became overshadowed by a political agenda being promoted by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and a cadre of officials operating with a direct channel to the White House.

HOLMES: Mr. Lutsenko made a series of unsupported allegations against Ambassador Yovanovitch, mostly suggesting that Ambassador Yovanovitch improperly used the Embassy to advance the political interests of the Democratic party.