The Pavlovic Today has obtained transcripts of the calls between General Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Here’s what they reveal.
During the call on December 23, 2016, Flynn and Kislyak discussed the situation in the Middle East.
“You know that the strategic goal is stability in the Middle East. That’s the strategic goal,” Flynn said to the Russian ambassador, reiterating that Russia and the U.S. must work together against “this radical Islamist crowd.”
On December 29, 2016, the two spoke again—this time about Syria, the broader Middle East, and a Kremlin proposal to organize a secure video call between the White House and the Kremlin. According to the transcript, President Vladimir Putin wanted to congratulate President-elect Trump and discuss key issues. Flynn said he understood, and Kislyak emphasized that he was referring to a secure video line.
KISLYAK: I mean heads up, we wanted you to know this. And the third final, uh, point, General, is, uh, I am entrusted to convey through you to—uh, to President-elect—the proposal from the Kremlin. Maybe to organize a conversation over the secure video line that, starting on the twentieth, would be available to Mr. Trump. And it’s there, certainly, uh—uh, between the White House and the Kremlin. And our proposal is to have a conversation on the twenty-first between our presidents. And the idea of Mr. Putin is, first of all, to congratulate your president-elect—or the president, at the time—and maybe to discuss a small number, briefly, of issues that are on our agenda. So his proposal is on the twenty-first of January.
Flynn then addressed Russia’s expected response to sanctions imposed by the Obama administration.
FLYNN: So, depending on what actions they take over this current issue of cyber stuff, where they are looking like they are going to dismiss some number of Russians out of the country. I understand all that and I understand the information that they have and all that. But what I ask Russia to do is to not—if anything, I know you have to have some sort of action—to only make it reciprocal. Don’t go any further than you have to because I don’t want us to get into something that has to escalate to tit-for-tat. Do you follow me?
Kislyak noted the “raging sentiments in Moscow” regarding the sanctions.
KISLYAK: I understand what you’re saying, but you know, you might appreciate the sentiments that are raging now in Moscow.
Flynn responded that he did not want the U.S. and Russia “to get into a situation where everybody goes back and forth and everybody has to be a tough guy.”
FLYNN: We don’t need that right now. We need cool heads to prevail. And we need to be very steady about what we’re going to do because we have absolutely a common threat in the Middle East.
Flynn urged moderation:
FLYNN: And please make sure that the idea is, if you have to do something, do something on a reciprocal basis—meaning, you know, on a sort of an even basis. Then that is a good message, and we’ll understand that message. And then we know that we’re not going to escalate this thing. Because if we send out 30 guys and you send out 60, or you shut down every embassy—I mean, we have to get this to an even keel, okay? And then, when we come in, we can have a better conversation about where we’re going regarding our relationship. And also, basically, we have to take on these enemies that we have. We definitely have a common enemy—you have a problem with it, we have a problem with it in this country, and we definitely have a problem with it in the Middle East.
Kislyak agreed, saying he would try to help Moscow’s leadership understand. Flynn emphasized again that overreaction could result in the U.S. embassy being shut down.
The conversation concluded with Flynn reminding Kislyak of the “common enemy” in the Middle East. In a more casual tone, Flynn said:
“Remember, Ambassador, you are not talking to a diplomat; you are talking to a soldier. I am a very practical guy. It’s all about solutions.”
During their December 31, 2016, call, Kislyak relayed Moscow’s reaction to the U.S. sanctions and referred to Flynn’s appeal for “cold heads.”
KISLYAK: You know, I have a small message to pass to you from Moscow, and probably you have heard about the decision taken by Moscow about action and counter-action.
FLYNN: Yeah, yeah, well I appreciate it. On our phone call the other day, I appreciate the steps that your president has taken. I think it was wise.
KISLYAK: I just wanted to tell you that our conversation was also taken into account in Moscow and—
FLYNN: Good.
KISLYAK: Your proposal that we need to act with cold heads is exactly what is invested in the decision.
FLYNN: Good.
KISLYAK: And I just wanted to tell you that we found these actions have targeted not only Russia but also the president-elect.
FLYNN: Yeah, yeah.
KISLYAK: And with all our rights to respond, we have decided not to act now because people are dissatisfied with the loss of the elections, and it’s very deplorable. So, I just wanted to let you know that our conversation was taken with weight.
FLYNN: Good. Good.
KISLYAK: We are hoping within two weeks we will be able to start working in a more constructive way.
Flynn thanked Kislyak for the feedback and said he appreciated it.
The final declassified exchange, dated January 19, 2017, is a voicemail from Kislyak to Flynn asking for an update on the proposed call between Presidents Trump and Putin.
KISLYAK: Good morning, General. This is Sergey Kislyak, Russian ambassador. I apologize for disturbing you, but I wanted to check whether you have an answer to the idea of our two presidents speaking after the inauguration. You remember our conversation, and we certainly would appreciate any indication as to when it is going to be possible. I would appreciate your calling back and telling me where we are. Thank you so much. All the best.
