Classified
ClassifiediStock

US President Donald Trump responded to reports that he gave classified information to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a White House meeting last week.

Trump wrote via his Twitter account. "As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety." According to him, the information he shared with the Russian foreign minister is connected to the fight against terrorism and to air security: "I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism."

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the issue and said that "all the reports are false and deceptive." US National Security Advisor General Herbert McMaster also claimed that the reports were false.

The Washington Post reported that Trump's information came to the United States in the framework of intelligence cooperation with one of its allies and is classified because of its high sensitivity.

US intelligence sources told the newspaper that "if that partner learned we’d given this to Russia without their knowledge or asking first, that is a blow to that relationship.”

Trump apparently described to the Russian Foreign Minister how the Da'ash terrorist organization was working on a certain activity and noted the possible consequences if the terrorists succeeded in their mission.