continued, "Advisor—is the profession of the current day. Even a secret advisor. Right now the Administration here is flexible—and there is the idea, so that the right thoughts would dominate."
34. Following this October 5, 2016 Twitter conversation, BUTINA and the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL discussed whether BUTINA should volunteer to serve as a U.S. election observer from Russia and agreed that the risk was too high. The RUSSIAN OFFICIAL expressed the opinion that "the risk of provocation is too high and the 'media hype' which comes after it," and BUTINA agreed by responding, "Only incognito! Right now everything has to be quiet and careful."
35. In October 2016, BUTINA and the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL intermittently communicated to discuss the topics of the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast invitation and the upcoming elections via Twitter direct message. On October 17, 2016, BUTINA asked the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL for a list of ten individuals from Russia who would be attending the National Prayer Breakfast. BUTINA further suggested to the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL that it would be a good idea to invite the Russian Ambassador and noted that it "needs to be somebody influential from Russia, it would be better [if it were someone] from the Kremlin or RPC [Russian Orthodox Church] of course."
36. In a series of November 8 and 9, 2016 Twitter direct messages, the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL and BUTINA discussed the results of the US. Presidential election as they were announced. As part of that same Twitter conversation, BUTINA told the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL, ". . . I'm going to sleep. It's 3 am here. I am ready for further orders." The RUSSIAN OFFICIAL responded, "Think about in which areas of life we could go towards bringing us closer. ISIS—understandably, what else we need to look at the American agenda." Afier speculating about who might be nominated as Secretary of State, BUTINA suggested a phone call to discuss, and the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL noted that he liked the idea, but was worried that "all our phones are being listened to!" BUTINA suggested that they talk via WhatsApp.
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