AKIPRESS.COM - Michael Flynn, the former US national security adviser, has pleaded guilty to making false statements in relation to his conversation with the Russian ambassador before US President Donald Trump took office, Al Jazeera reported.

The charges stem from a probe into alleged meddling by Russia in the 2016 US presidential election.

According to the Associated Press, Flynn admitted in his plea on Friday that Trump a senior transition official of the Trump campaign had directed his communication with the Russians.

Trump's lawyer, Ty Cobb, said in a statement that "nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr Flynn".

"The conclusion of this phase of the Special Counsel's work demonstrates again that the Special Counsel is moving with all deliberate speed and clears way for a prompt and reasonable conclusion," Cobb added.

Flynn, a one-time loyal supporter and aide to Trump, resigned as national security adviser in February after reports surfaced that the Trump administration was warned by the Department of Justice that Flynn's communication with the Russians could leave the president in a compromised position.

It is illegal for private US citizens to conduct US diplomacy efforts.