Ukraine leader: We can’t be ordered to investigate Biden

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the InterContinental Barclay New York hotel during the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

by: The Associated Press

Posted: Sep 30, 2019 / 11:46 AM CDT

Updated: Sep 30, 2019 / 11:46 AM CDT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president says his country can’t be pressured into opening an investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden or his son.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters Monday: “It has nothing to do with me. Our independent law enforcement agencies are ready to investigate any violations of the law.”

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Zelenskiy in a July phone call to “look into” his political rival Biden. Asked Monday about Trump’s request, the Ukrainian leader said: “We cannot be ordered to do anything. We are an independent country.”

He didn’t elaborate on what could trigger an eventual investigation.

Zelenskiy reiterated his criticism of the White House decision to release a rough transcript of the July call, which sparked a Congressional impeachment inquiry. He called it “wrong.” Zelenskiy said Ukraine would probably not release its own transcript.