George Kent: What you need to know

George Kent

Who he is: Deputy assistant secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the State Department

{mosads}Why he’s testifying: A career diplomat with years of experience in Ukraine, Kent was in steady contact with some of the key players in the Ukraine saga — including Taylor, Kurt Volker and Gordon Sondland — throughout the administration’s pressure campaign. He was also among the veteran State Department officials up in arms over the removal of Yovanovitch, the former ambassador to Ukraine.

What he’s expected to say: Kent previously delivered damning testimony that President Trump’s allies were conducting a shadow foreign policy that threatened U.S. interests and empowered Russia. He was particularly critical of Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, who orchestrated Yovanovitch’s removal. Yet he also testified that he had “raised … concerns” after hearing that Joe Biden’s son had been hired by a Ukrainian energy giant during the Obama administration.

What he’s said: “Asking another country to investigate a prosecution for political reasons undermines our advocacy of the rule of law.”