REPORT: Flynn Discussed Sanctions With Russian Ambassador Before Election, Despite Denials
The Washington Post on Thursday reported a major piece of news the investigation of Michael Flynn’s relationship with Russia, particularly prior to the election when Russia was actively working to interfere in the election.
The Washington Post said, “National security adviser Michael Flynn privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States during the month before President Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials, current and former U.S. officials said.”
According to the Washington Post, “Flynn’s communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were interpreted by some senior U.S. officials as an inappropriate and potentially illegal signal to the Kremlin that it could expect a reprieve from sanctions that were being imposed by the Obama administration in late December to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 election.”
Flynn has repeatedly denied that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador as recently as Wednesday during an interview Michael Flynn twice said “no.”
The Washington Post piece also noted that the FBI is still in the process of examining Flynn’s communications with the Russian ambassador.
The Post went on to say, “Flynn’s contacts with the ambassador attracted attention within the Obama administration because of the timing. U.S. intelligence agencies were then concluding that Russia had waged a cyber campaign designed in part to help elect Trump; his senior adviser on national security matters was discussing the potential consequences for Moscow, officials said.”
The communications between Flynn and the Russian ambassador were part of an on going series of contacts before the election and that continued during the Trump transition.
