Trump's national security adviser 'made FIVE CALLS' to Russian ambassador on the same day Obama imposed sanctions but he 'did not discuss them and simply exchanged holiday greetings and spoke logistics'

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President-elect Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, held five phone calls with Russia's ambassador to Washington - the same day President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia, three sources familiar with the matter claim.

According to a report in the Huffington Post, the calls between Trump's aide Michael Flynn and Ambassador Sergei Kislyak occurred between the time the Russian embassy was told about U.S. sanctions and the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he had decided against reprisals.

The White House says it did not clear the call.

Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed a call took place a day earlier to exchange 'logistical information'.

Flynn also laid the groundwork with Kislyak to set up a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Trump after he is sworn in, according to Spicer. 

The White House says it did not clear a phone call made between Donald Trump's national security advisor Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the U.S. on the same day President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia 

'The call centered on the logistics of setting up a call with the president of Russia and the president elect after he was sworn in. And they exchanged logistical information on how to initiate and schedule that call,' Spicer said.

But White House officials told NBC News the communication was not cleared or coordinated with them. 

President Barack Obama's press secretary said Friday afternoon that the White House was not aware of the call beforehand, to his knowledge.

The Obama spokesman, Josh Earnest, was 'not prepared to say it was entirely appropriate' even though it 'sounds like' the call was above board not knowing what was said. 

The incoming and outgoing White House press secretaries were responding to a column in the Washington Post that stated Flynn had spoken to Kislyak after the imposition of the new sanctions, meant to punish Russia for what the intelligence community says was interference in the U.S. elections.

President-elect Trump's transition revealed that plans are in place for a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) and that groundwork had been laid in conversation Trump aide Michael Flynn has had with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak

Trump has called repeatedly for improved relations with Moscow and has repeatedly refrained from criticizing Putin – although he did say in a Wednesday press conference that Russia was behind U.S. election hacking

The article noted that Flynn has close Russia ties, having appeared on Russia Today and gotten a speaking fee from the Kremlin-backed network. 

It cited a senior U.S. government official as saying Flynn phoned Kslyak several times on December 29, the day the Obama administration announced it was kicking 35 Russian officials said to be spies out of the country to retaliate for the hack. 

The article raised concerns about whether the conversation violated rules banning civilians from negotiating with foreign governments. There is also an expectation an incoming administration should not interfere with the current government.

It is not clear how the U.S. government became aware of the phone call.   

Spicer pointedly said the call was not about new sanctions the Obama administration slapped on Russia following a report on Russian interference in the U.S. elections. 

Trump's aide said on Friday the contact began between Flynn and Kislyak on Christmas Day as the pair exchanged holiday greetings. 

'On Christmas day, General Flynn reached out to the ambassador, sent him a text that said, 'I want to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, I look forward to touching base and working with you and I wish you all the best,'' Spicer said.

'The ambassador texted him back wishing him a Merry Christmas as well. And then subsequently on the 28th of December said, 'I'd like to give you a call, may I?' He then took that call on the 28th,' Spicer said.

'That was it, plain and simple,' he said. 

A phone call was made between Trump aide Michael Flynn and Ambassador Sergei Kislyak as Obama imposed the sanctions as punishment for Russia trying to meddle in the U.S. election, a senior official said Friday

Trump himself questioned the sanctions immediately after they got announced. 

Trump has called repeatedly for improved relations with Moscow and has repeatedly refrained from criticizing Putin – although he did say in a Wednesday press conference that Russia was behind U.S. election hacking. 

Putin sent New Year greetings to Trump and congratulated him on his election. 

Spicer said Flynn and Kslyak 'exchanged logistical information' and 'that was all.'

Asked Friday afternoon if he was bothered by Flynn's talks with the Russian representative, President Barack Obama's spokesman said it 'depends on what he said.'

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said he 'obviously' has 'zero insight' into what was communicated. Earnest said that would have to come from the Trump transition team.

It 'sounds like' the call did not cross a line, but Earnest said he 'can't pass judgement' on the call, though, because he 'wasn't privy to it.'

'As a general matter, on principle, you can imagine why these kinds of interactions may take place,' he said, emphasizing again that the content of the discussion would determine 'whether we would have significant objections.' 

'I'm also not prepared to say it was entirely appropriate without knowing the content of their conversations,' he said.