Trump's former Russia adviser says Russia offered US free rein in 2019

Fiona Hill said Russian officials in 2019 indicated they might trade backing off Nicolás Maduro for a freer hand in Ukraine, and that her 2019 testimony resurfaced after a recent U.S. operation to remove Maduro.

Fiona Hill, who advised President Donald Trump on Russia and Europe, said Russian officials in 2019 signaled they might withdraw support for Nicolás Maduro if the United States allowed Russia more freedom in Ukraine. She said the idea was circulated in Russian media and was repeatedly hinted at by then-ambassador Anatoly Antonov. Hill said she traveled to Moscow in April 2019 to deliver a message that Ukraine and Venezuela were separate matters. Her 2019 testimony has resurfaced this week after a recent U.S. operation to remove Maduro. Reported details: - Hill reported that in 2019 Russian officials floated a "swap" idea linking Venezuela and Ukraine, suggesting a trade-off in spheres of influence. - She said the idea appeared in Russian media and was hinted at to her by ambassador Anatoly Antonov rather than offered as a formal proposal. - Hill said she went to Moscow in April 2019 and told officials that the United States viewed Ukraine and Venezuela as unrelated. - The article notes Hill's comments have reappeared after the U.S. operation to oust Maduro; the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. action and President Vladimir Putin had not publicly commented, according to the report. Summary: Hill's account describes diplomatic signals in 2019 that linked Russian positions on Venezuela and Ukraine and reports that U.S. officials did not pursue such a deal. Undetermined at this time.