U.S. Department of Justice
Attorney Work Product // May Contain Material Protected Under Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e)
The next day, December 30, 2016, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that Russia would respond in kind to the sanctions.[1] Putin superseded that comment two hours later, releasing a statement that Russia would not take retaliatory measures in response to the sanctions at that time.[2] Hours later President-Elect Trump tweeted, "Great move on delay (by V. Putin)."[3] Shortly thereafter, Flynn sent a text message to McFarland summarizing his call with Kislyak from the day before, which she emailed to Kushner, Bannon, Priebus, and other Transition Team members.[4] The text message and email did not include sanctions as one of the topics discussed with Kislyak.[5] Flynn told the Office that he did not document his discussion of sanctions because it could be perceived as getting in the way of the Obama Administration's foreign policy.[6]
On December 31, 2016, Kislyak called Flynn and told him the request had been received . at the highest levels and that Russia had chosen not to retaliate to the sanctions in response to the request.[7] Two hours later, Flynn spoke with McFarland and relayed his conversation with Kislyak.[8] According to McFarland, Flynn remarked that the Russians wanted a better relationship and that the relationship was back on track.[9] Flynn also told McFarland that he believed his phone call had made a difference.[10] McFarland recalled congratulating Flynn in response.[11] Flynn spoke with other Transition Team members that day, but does not recall whether they discussed the sanctions.[12]
Flynn recalled discussing the sanctions with Bannon the next day and that Bannon appeared to know about Flynn's conversation with Kislyak.[13] Bannon,
- ↑ Comment by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on recent US sanctions and the expulsion of Russian diplomats, Moscow, December 20, 2016, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Dec, 30, 2016 (5:32 a.m.)).
- ↑ Statement of the President of the Russian Federation, Kremlin, Office of the President (Dec. 30, 2016 (7:15 a.m.)).
- ↑ @realDonaldTrump 12/30/16 (11:41 a.m.) Tweet.
- ↑ 12/30/16 Email, Flynn to McFarland; 12/30/16 Email, McFarland to Kushner et al.
- ↑ 12/30/16 Email, McFarland to Kushner et al.
- ↑ Flynn 11/17/17 302, at 4.
- ↑ Call Records of Michael T. Flynn Grand Jury ; Flynn 11/17/17 302, at 1; Flynn 1/19/17 302, at 3; Flynn Statement of Offense ¶ 3(g).
- ↑ Call Records of Michael T. Flynn Grand Jury Flynn 11/17/17 302, at 5; Flynn 1/19/17 302, at 3; McFarland 12/22/17 302, at 10.
- ↑ McFarland 12/22/17 302, at 10.
- ↑ McFarland 12/22/17 302, at 10.
- ↑ McFarland 12/22/17 302, at 10.
- ↑ Flynn 11/17/17 302, at 5-6.
- ↑ Flynn 11/21/17 302, at 1; Flynn 11/20/17 302, at 3; Flynn 1/19/17 302, at 5; Flynn Statement of Offense ¶ 3(h).
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