about it. >> ambassador volker, is that also your recollection? >> yes, it is. >> it was not until the politico article -- >> that is correct, i received a text message from one of my counterparts on august 29th forwarding that article, that's a first they raised it with me. >> can you share a little bit about your communications during that time period about the aide? >> i did not have any communications with the ukrainians about the hold on eight until after they raised it with me for the same reason that tim just gave, the hope that we could get it taken care of ourselves before it became something that they became aware of. inside the u.s. government, i was aware that the hold was placed. i was aware of that on july 18th. it was referenced at an inner agency meeting, and i got to read out from that meeting from one of my assistance. i then immediately spoke with several people when the administration to object.