Future of Trump adviser Michael Flynn in doubt over Russia sanctions discussion

Flynn had initially denied discussing sanctions with the Russians in the weeks before Trump took office on January 20 , but a Washington Post report emerged last week quoting officials saying the subject of sanctions had in fact come up.

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn boards Air Force One at West Palm Beach International airport in West Palm Beach, Florida US, February 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

WASHINGTON // Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn is facing growing questions about his future after reports that he discussed US sanctions with a Russian envoy before Mr Trump’s inauguration.

Top White House officials reviewed over the weekend Mr Flynn’s contacts with the Russians and whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russia once Mr Trump took office.

Such a conversation could potentially break a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy.

Mr Flynn is a retired US army general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. An early supporter of Mr Trump, he has been a leading advocate to improve US relations with Russia.

Mr Flynn had initially denied discussing sanctions with the Russians in the weeks before Trump took office on January 20 and Vice President Mike Pence went before the television cameras to repeat the denial and defend Mr Flynn.

When a Washington Post report emerged last week quoting officials saying the subject of sanctions had in fact come up, Mr Flynn left open the possibility that he had discussed sanctions but could not remember with 100 per cent certainty, an administration official said.

A second administration official stressed that Mr Pence made his comments based on a conversation with Mr Flynn. Mr Pence is said to be troubled by the possibility of being misled.

Mr Flynn has apologised to Mr Pence and others over the incident.

A third official said the uproar prompted White House chief of staff Reince Priebus to review the matter with other top officials as Mr Trump played host to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the weekend in Florida.

There was no indication from transcripts of Mr Flynn’s conversations that he had promised to lift the sanctions but rather he made more general comments about hoping for better US-Russian relations with Mr Trump.

Mr Trump has yet to weigh in on the subject, promising on Friday that he would look into it.

*Associated Press and Reuters