‘Absolutely no collusion’ Trump DENIES links between election campaign and Russia
DONALD TRUMP has said there was “absolutely no collusion” between his presidential campaign and Moscow after a former adviser admitted lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia.
In his first comment on a guilty plea by his first national security adviser Michael Flynn about lying to the FBI, the US President told reporters there was no Russian meddling in his campaign which resulted in his victory.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, he said: “What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. There’s been absolutely no collusion.”
On Friday, Mr Flynn pledged to cooperate with special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s probe into Russia’s interference with the 2016 election.
He also pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts he had with the Russian ambassador.
GETTY
Related articles
What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion
Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide, was named in US media as the “very senior” member of the President’s transition team who directed Mr Flynn to reach out to Russia.
This was an attempt to delay or defeat a UN resolution on Israeli settlements before Mr Trump took office, according to reports.
The allegation comes as Mr Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over his conversations last December with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak.
As part of the plea agreement, retired three-star general Mr Flynn has agreed to co-operate with an investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.
The relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, in pictures
Wed, July 19, 2017The relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is under intense scrutiny as ties between the two leaders are being examined for possible illegal activity
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and US President Donald Trump talking during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg
Mr Mueller and a team of prosecutors are looking into accusations of Russian meddling in the presidential election and potential collision by Mr Trump’s campaign.
The court papers suggested Trump transition officials were fully aware of Mr Flynn contacting Russian officials in the weeks before January’s inauguration.
The White House has rejected the idea that Mr Flynn could implicate “anyone” else but himself.
REUTERS
GETTY
After a federal court appearance in Washington, he said: “I recognise that the actions I acknowledged in court today were wrong.
"My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the special counsel's office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country. I accept full responsibility for my actions."
The charge normally carries up to five years in prison but under the terms of a plea deal, Mr Flynn faces a lighter sentence of only up to six months in jail, court filings show.
