Washington Post: National security adviser Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say
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.
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 on Wednesday denied that he had discussed sanctions with Kislyak. Asked in an interview whether he had ever done so, he twice said, “No.”
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The main stream media is in a feeding frenzy right now, but this story has been making the rounds of Washington for the past few weeks ....
FBI Find Nothing Inappropriate In National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's Phone Calls With Russian Officials (January 24, 2017).
U.S. Counterintelligence Agents Are Investigating President Trump’s National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Over His Russian Contacts (January 23, 2017)
The Russians are saying that there were no talks on sanctions .... Kremlin refutes reports Russian ambassador and Trump’s advisor discussed sanctions (TASS). If sanctions were discussed .... which is the number one issue for Russia right now with the U.S. .... those talks would have been relayed to the Kremlin immediately, and the Kremlin would be talking about it both publicly and privately soon after. The fact that they did not (and have not) .... is why I have doubts on this Washington Post and New York Times story. But Washington politics is Washington politics. If there are "legs" to this story .... I expect more details will be released/leaked from within Washington in the coming weeks .... or nothing at all.
More News On Reports That National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had Discussed Sanctions With The Russian Ambassador Before The Inauguration
Flynn Is Said to Have Talked to Russians About Sanctions Before Trump Took Office -- New York Times
Trump's National Security Adviser Reportedly Discussed Sanctions With Russia -- NPR
Democrats demand answers from Trump after report on his national security advisor's contact with Russia -- L.A. Times
Pence Based His Russia Remarks on What Flynn Had Told Him, Official Says -- Bloomberg
Pence was told Flynn didn't discuss sanctions, aides say -- Politico
Pence unaware if Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador -- CNN
Just how much trouble is Michael Flynn in? -- Chris Cillizza, Washingtonn Post
Bombshell Report Suggests Trump's National Security Adviser Is Dishonest and a Threat to US Policy -- Mother Jones
32 comments:
Michael Flynn talk with Russia about sanctions, so what? he didn't know he would be in an administration position, and he has the right to speak with anybody. What about Obama talking with Farrakhan before being President?
He lied about it to Congress, he lied about it to Trump, Pence and others, and the American public.
That last one doesn't matter.
https://warontherocks.com/2017/02/the-war-among-the-generals/
Meh. Obama was clearly recorded saying to Medvedev "I'll have more flexibility after the election" (to draw down missile defense). Medvedev, "I will transmit this to Vladimir." No big deal then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsFR8DbSRQE
LMFAO,
The best part so far about the Bannon Presidency, is they don't actually have to build the Mexican Border Wall,
They just have to tell the TChumps that they did.
LMFAO.
So jay you're disputing the video/audio?
Nope, context, LMFAO at the false equivalence.
Obama was a) President,
b) not up for Confirmation by the Administration, House and Senate,
c) did not lie to the President, Vice President, House and Senate.
I'm old enough to remember when lying to the House and Congress about a consensual blow job between two adults was supposedly a big deal,
Or having a private e-mail server.
LMAO about how the TChumps are dumber than a skank in a bar,
"Honest baby, I love you"
"No baby, I'm wearing a condom!"
"I promise, I'll just put the tip in".
LMFAO.
You're convined Flynn did exactly as is being reported?
Yup. Trump Officials have confirmed it,
And much of the Trump dossier has been confirmed by members of the NSC.
LMFAO,
Congrats on electing Putin's Agent Orange.
Pssst jay - this will turn out to be another leftist soup of the day gone cold. That you bit on the golden shower "dossier" serves you up.
Nope,
BTW,
http://m.wyomingnews.com/news/two-abortion-bills-sent-to-senate-agriculture-committee/article_8275aa50-ee9a-11e6-abb3-b7ba024b23f6.html
LMFAO.
Jay
I'm curious you seemed to like Russia at one point...now you changed your mind?
When Obama was El Presidente you spoke the same.
What or who's side are you on?
Sorry dude, you wouldn't understand it,
The world is complex,
It's not a Pepe the Frog meme.
LMAFO,
From an angry AOL/Facebook uncle who in how many years,
Never figured out how to use the Blogger "reply" feature,
LMFAO
I think Phil's question to you jay, is why are you such a smarmy douchebag? You stated once in a post that you were divorced. Who could've blamed her? From your pic it looks like you have a dog. I hope it provides good meatworld companionship for you.
My family has a long history of punching Nazi's.
All the way back to 1919.
Captain America always said it was okay to punch Nazi's,
Indianna Jones always said it was okay to punch Nazi's,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9PSTuJeQl9A
Stop being an ignorant White Supremacist Nazi Dick or a mysoginist cuckold like Anzino on the web,
And I'll stop punching you, LMFAO at you and showing you up for the ignorant, angry, resentful TChumps and Deplorables you are.
LMFAO.
Jay
I'm complex enough to ask questions you won't answer or link to to. And if you don't have an answer you have the same response....your boringly predictable.
I get why most don't use the "reply" feature....most don't respect your point of views.
Thanks for mentioning "Captain America" and "Indiana Jones".
You almost sound like a patriot!
LMAO
LMFAO,
And yet, in well over 3 years, never asked a complex question or posted a complex comment.
Never provided an insightful link.
Mostly death jokes at another peoples expense.
LMFAO.
Only in your pickle barrel KKK gatherings can you claim any kind of "insight" or "complexity",
LMFAO
LMAO,
Most people still commenting, don't know how to use the reply feature.
Funny thing is, you can actually tell the intelligence of those replying, by those who use it.
LMFAO
Says the communist to the American.
LMFAO.
LMFAO,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Nazi_Party
LMFAO,
https://www.amazon.com/Blowback-Americas-Recruitment-Nazis-Effects/dp/1555841066
LMAO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Canada
LMAO
https://www.amazon.com/Canadian-Bolsheviks-Early-Communist-Canada/dp/0887580459
LMFAO
LMFAO,
Wanna give your full name, rather than just a guy with no arms and legs, stuck in a ditch?
Western Nazi Memebership lists are now on line,
LMFAO
You guys are all living off what you see and hear....and have become delusional beyond recognition
Jay is by far the most accurate commenter on this sight. His insight and research stand above the rest of you.
And you all know it.
Keep up the discussion, Jay. Good work! The truth hurts.
Anonymous,
I had not realized you were such a talented comedy writer with an especial gift for irony. I eagerly look forward to your further efforts.
Jay, I bet you have little to no experience picking up a skank at the bar.
Either he doesn't remember or they did not discuss sanctions. Either way this appears to be an "unforced error." While plausible that he does not remember, he seems to have emphatically said that such a discussion did not take place. It would have been better to have simply said he did not remember.
With that said this is an old trick used by prosecutors when the power that be tell them we MUST have a conviction. Ask someone questions about something that happened months ago or years ago and since its hard to remember what happened that long ago catch them in a lie and get a conviction because the person doesn't remember.
As has been pointed out in the article, a conviction of Mr. Flynn may be problematic because top officials and projected top officials of incoming Administrations routinely meet with foreign leaders and discuss policies. Since the foreign leaders and top officials in an incoming Administration will want to know the policies of each other, reactions and counter reactions will be discussed and it would easy to construe such things as "promises." To prosecute Mr. Flynn would likely undermine such necessary frank talk among top leaders and would do grave harm to American interests.
Of course if it undermines team Trump, then it is all worth it to such people and to h!ll with mid to long range American interests. It's all about undermining team Trump. As anyone who has read this site will know, I am NOT a fan of Donald Trump, however it is in American interests to improve relations with Russia and such petty actions by certain people are not helpful in this regard to say the least.
Personally if I'm DJT I want my national security advisor meeting with the Russian ambassador. After all I selected him because of his good relations with Russia. I want them having frank discussions about issues that affect both of our countries. I will have discussed with my national security advisor my position on sanctions and will want that conveyed to the Russian official so as to minimize any confusion when I assume office.
As stated, this appears to be an unforced error. Either state yes we did discuss sanctions or I don't remember. After all, we want them to discuss these issues. Since you don't remember or you really did discuss them, there's nothing to be gained by saying no and there's much to be gained by saying we did discuss this issue as it illustrates a serious man willing to tackle serious issues.
If DJT and his team can thaw or even end Cold War II, this would be of huge benefit to everyone. Such efforts by either or both sides should be encouraged, applauded, and supported to every extent possible. As I think has been mentioned elsewhere, a 500 billion dollar oil deal between Russia and Exxon Mobil is being held up because some idiots thought it a swell idea to impose sanctions on Russia first over Ukraine. Ukraine!??! Then like children playing with matches under the bed impose propose additional sanctions on Russia over so called election interference that they have no proof of!! I think Mr. Flynn may have been sent to beg the Russian leadership not to please hold off on doing anything to hurt the American people based upon the utterly stupid acts of BHO and his team. Since Russia held off on retaliation, he may have succeeded.
Russia's patience is not going to be unlimited. They are going to need to see results on the front of sanctions being lifted. Unfortunately, while POTUS can do some things at the margins, his ability in this area is limited. furthermore, at least until they change governments, Western European sanctions are going to remain in effect.
The commentary here seems rather the usual split between those who support the president and those who do not.
Jay
It's Phillip Flores
Do you want to know all my ethnicities to old man? Or how often I hangout with black people more than you?
Keep preaching the Nazi card it shows how transparent you are.
LMAO
LMFAO
http://digbysblog.blogspot.ca/2017/02/whos-bannons-daddy.html?m=1
LMAO
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MjoMQJf5vKI
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