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Report Claims Trump Shared Classified Information With Russia, White House Rejects It As Fake News

Swarajya StaffMay 16, 2017, 10:48 AM | Updated 10:47 AM IST
Trump hosts Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Kislyak at White House.

Trump hosts Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Kislyak at White House.


US President Donald Trump divulged highly sensitive intelligence information about a planned Islamic State operation, shared only by an ally of the United States, to Russia's foreign minister and ambassador during their meeting last week, The Washington Post has reported citing officials with knowledge of the situation.

The report said that the information Trump relayed had been provided by a partner through an intelligence-sharing arrangement. The information was so sensitive that that details have been withheld from US allies and tightly restricted even within the US government. According to the report, the partner had not given the US permission to share the material with Russia, and officials said Trump's decision to do so endangers cooperation with an ally that has access to the inner workings of the IS.

However, the White House has denounced the accusations, saying that the president "did not discuss sources, methods or military operations" with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador during their meeting.

“At no time, at no time, were intelligence sources or methods discussed, and the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known," National Security Adviser H R McMaster said.

This report from The Washington Post came just days after Washington hinted towards addressing the issues that emerged after former president Barack Obama imposed new sanctions on Russia and expelled 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for alleged Russian efforts to interfere with the US presidential election.

Trump has often been accused of not following protocols. His critics have also targeted him for trying to forge better relations with Russia, something that the experts believe will help in finding a solution to the Syrian problem. The deep state, it is believed, is at work to prevent a positive movement in US-Russia relations.

With Inputs From ANI.

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