First Casualty Of Russian Connection As US National Security Advisor Resigns Over Ties With Russia Which Made Him ''Vulnerable To Blackmail''

US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has resigned following allegations he made numerous phone calls to the Russian Ambassador to the US before Trump took office trying to broker deals including, discussing the rollback of sanctions, something clearly against diplomatic protocol. 

It is reported that Vice President Mike Pence vouched for Flynn, without knowing the full details of the calls and how deep he may have compromised himself but choose to give him his full support. Upon his resignation, he made a personal apology to Pence. Retired general Keith Kellogg will take over as acting National Security Advisor. 

Former CIA Director David Petraeus and US Navy Admiral Michelle Howard have been shortlisted for his replacement. 

‘’In his resignation letter, Flynn wrote: 'I 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.’’