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Russian FM Lavrov denies discussing Comey's dismissal with Trump

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ANI New York [U.S.]
Last Updated : May 21 2017 | 6:42 AM IST

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has revealed that he didn't discuss former FBI director James Comey's dismissal with U.S. President Donald Trump during his White House meeting on May 10.

"We did not touch this subject," CNN quoted Lavrov as saying at a news conference May 20 in Cyprus.

Comey was sacked on May 9 in the midst of an investigation of Russian interference in the U.S. Presidential election and the alleged ties between Trump campaign and Moscow officials.

Lavrov had a meeting with Trump at the White House on May 10, the day after the President fired Comey. The meeting came under public scrutiny when reports emerged that Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak, whom current and former US intelligence officials say is a top Russian spy and recruiter of spies (a notion Russian officials have dismissed), also attended, CNN reported.

The controversy that erupted after the meeting refuses to die down. Moreover, reports came that Trump had called Comey a "nut job" when he spoke with the two Russian officials. The White House did not deny the claim.

Meanwhile, Comey is set to give evidence regarding Russian meddling in the U.S. election in an open hearing of the Senate intelligence committee after US Memorial Day on 29 May.

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The President also dismissed reports that he demanded loyalty pledge from former FBI Director James Comey at a private dinner .Trump responded saying, "No, I didn't but I think loyalty to the country, loyalty to the U.S. is important."

The White House has denied a media report suggesting that President Donald Trump had asked the sacked FBI chief James Comey to end the investigation against former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn.

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First Published: May 21 2017 | 5:30 AM IST

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