Transcripts Reveal Michael Flynn Told Russian Diplomat Not To Let Obama “Box In” Kremlin With New Sanctions

The Hill reports:

Michael Flynn urged a top Russian diplomat in late 2016 to make a “reciprocal” response to the Obama administration’s sanctions on the Kremlin for its interference in the recently completed presidential race, arguing against escalating matters.

Flynn, who was then President-elect Trump’s incoming national security adviser, warned then-Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak against one country trying to “be the tough guy” against the other, according to transcripts of the phone call, which were declassified and released on Friday.

And he asked that the Moscow official not allow the Obama administration to “box us in” with the sanctions. The exchange, which took place on Dec. 29, 2016, before Trump took office, is at the center of the controversy over the FBI’s Russia probe.