George Papadopoulos (3rd left) appears in a photograph released on Donald Trump's social media accounts with a headline stating that the scene was of his campaign's national security meeting in D.C. in March 2016. Photo via Reuters

AP confirms identity of 2 Papadopoulos contacts

Politics

WASHINGTON — The Associated Press has confirmed the identities of two foreign nationals at the center of contacts between Russia and a former adviser to President Donald Trump's campaign.

Emails obtained by the AP show that George Papadopoulos' conversations, cited in court papers, were with Joseph Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev.

Mifsud is a professor and honorary director of the London Academy of Diplomacy. Ivan Timofeev is director of programs at the Russian International Affairs Council in Moscow.

Court papers filed by special counsel Robert Mueller did not name the men. They say a professor told Papadopoulos in April 2016 that the Russians had "dirt" on Democrat Hillary Clinton in the form of emails. They also say Papadopoulos had discussions with the other man, described as having connections to the Russian foreign ministry.

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AP confirms identity of 2 Papadopoulos contacts first appeared on the PBS News website.

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