A Trump administration official told The Associated Press that Michael Flynn "can't be certain" that sanctions did not come up in his discussions with the Russian ambassador. The Washington Post, citing several current and former U.S. officials, reported late Thursday that Flynn made explicit references to election-related sanctions imposed by the Obama administration in his conversations with Kislyak. Vice-President Mike Pence staunchly denying that Flynn's contact with the Russian ambassador had anything to do with sanctions. Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak spoke with Michael Flynn before Flynn was named as Donald Trump's national security adviser and before Trump took office, the Washington Post says. Flynn's contact with the Russian ambassador also suggests the Trump administration has been laying the groundwork for its promised closer relationship with Moscow.

Source: CBC News February 10, 2017 19:01 UTC