President Trump's national security adviser resigns

President Trump’s national security adviser has resigned.

The embattled Michael Flynn resigned on Monday night, amid controversy about his contacts with Russian officials. It is alleged that he discussed US sanctions with Russia before Trump took office, contravening a US law stating that it is illegal for private citizens to conduct diplomacy .

In his resignation letter Flynn said he had “inadvertently briefed the vice- president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the president and the vice-president and they have accepted my apology.”

Following the news, Russia responded by saying that Flynn’s resignation is an internal matter of the United States.

“We would not like to comment on it in any way. This is an internal matter for the Americans, it is an internal matter for the President Trump’s administration. This is none of our business. As for this topic as a whole, we have commented on it multiple times. And there is nothing we can add in answer to your questions,” said Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman.

The US national security adviser is appointed by the president to serve as the chief adviser on international affairs and defence.

Flynn a retired Army lieutenant general had initially denied having discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak.

He will in the meantime be replaced by lieutenant general Joseph Keith Kellog.

Kellog most recently served as National Security Council chief of staff.