MOSCOW, Washington: The former Russian ambassador to the United States has strongly denied the accusations of meddling in the US presidential election.

Sergei Kislyak, who has just returned from Washington, said Saturday on Russian state TV that he was merely doing his job as a diplomat when he met with members of President Donald Trump’s team. He said he also had met with representatives of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, but didn’t give any names.

Kislyak described the US accusations against him as absurd and “shameful” for the US, adding that the official acknowledgement that his phone conversations were bugged was “unhealthy.”

Kislyak’s contacts with members of Trump’s team have been part of congressional and FBI investigations into possible collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. Russia has denied any interference in the US election.
Meanwhile, Investigators probing President Donald Trump’s team for possible connections to Russia have asked the White House to hand over records for what is believed to be the first time, the New York Times said Friday.

Members of the sweeping federal investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller requested the White House submit documents linked to Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to the paper, citing authorities close to the investigation.

The document request, while not a formal subpoena, was the latest signal that the probe is gathering pace.

The news came one day after reports revealed that Mueller — a former FBI director — has impanelled a grand jury to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn — who was ousted mere weeks after being named Trump’s national security adviser over mischaracterising contacts with Russian officials — is at the centre of the Russia controversy plaguing the White House.

Asked for comment on the story presidential lawyer Ty Cobb said the White House would not discuss “specific communications” with Mueller but would “continue to fully cooperate with the Special Counsel.”

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of collusion, saying he is the victim of a political “witch hunt” and “fake news.”

Investigators had also questioned witnesses over whether Flynn received secret payments from the Turkish government at the end of the 2016 presidential campaign — suggesting the probe’s scope has widened to examine Flynn’s financial dealings.

US media has reported that Mueller is also said to be investigating Trump’s financial records unrelated to Russia or the election.

Trump has publicly warned Mueller that his financial dealings should be out of bounds and investigating them would cross a red line.