The Donald Trump transition team has acknowledged that its incoming national security adviser has been in contact with Russia's ambassador but denies reports they plotting over recently imposed sanctions on Moscow. “I believe Ignatius will print an update now that he has been provided information to clarify,” the transition official also said. The sanctions targeted the GRU and FSB, leading Russian intelligence agencies that the U.S. said were involved in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other groups. Later Friday, a transition official said Flynn and Kislyak had spoken by phone on Dec. 29, following a text message from the ambassador the day before. U.S. monitoring of Russian officials' communication within the United States is known to be common.

Source: Fox News January 14, 2017 18:19 UTC