UNITED NATIONS • Ukraine's President, in his first public comments on the phone call that led to an impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump, said on Wednesday that the call was "normal", that "nobody pushed me", and that he did not want to become entangled in US elections.

"I am sorry, but I don't want to be involved in the democratic elections of USA," said Mr Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking to reporters with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"We had, I think, a good phone call," Mr Zelensky added, referring to a call the leaders had on July 25, which is at the centre of the inquiry. "It was normal. We spoke about many things. And so, I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed - pushed me."

Mr Trump quickly interjected, saying: "In other words, no pressure, because you know what, there was no pressure."

The Ukrainian leader became a central figure last week in the impeachment debate in the United States over whether Mr Trump sought help from a foreign power against one of his domestic political opponents.

Mr Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have said publicly that they believe his leading Democratic opponent, former vice-president Joe Biden, should be investigated in connection with his son's role in a Ukrainian energy company.

Mr Trump has also publicly accused Mr Biden and his son of "creating to (sic) the corruption already in the Ukraine", and acknowledged raising the corruption allegations in a phone call with Mr Zelensky on July 25. He raised the allegations of corruption again on Wednesday.

The push towards opening a formal impeachment inquiry gained significant momentum after senior administration officials said Mr Trump personally ordered the suspension of US$391 million (S$540 million) in aid to Ukraine in the days before the call.

Mr Trump said there had been "no quid pro quo" linking US aid to a Ukrainian investigation into Mr Biden.

Mr Zelensky has not announced any new investigations into Mr Biden or his son. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said that Ukraine had a new prosecutor-general, "a highly professional man" who would investigate "any case he considers and deems appropriate".

He added: "We have an independent country. I can't push anyone."

NYTIMES