The statement was perhaps the most direct link the US government has ever drawn between the Trump campaign’s inner workings and the Kremlin’s intelligence services.
A judge concluded Manafort lied to investigators about his dealings with Konstantin Kilimnik,an aide believed by the FBI to have ties to Russian intelligence.
The state court judge in Manhattan decided the local charges against President Trump's former campaign chairman amounted to a double-jeopardy violation.
Stephen Calk provided a ranked wish list of government jobs,including treasury secretary and 19 ambassador posts in countries including Britain,France,Germany and Italy.
From a wheelchair,Paul Manafort apologised to a judge as he faced sentencing for conspiracy to defraud the United States by illegally lobbying in Ukraine.
"I feel very badly for Paul Manafort,"Trump said on Friday."I think it's been a very,very tough time for him."
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been sentenced to 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud linked to his work advising Ukrainian politicians.
Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election meddling has haunted Donald Trump for most of his presidency. Meet the key characters in the Mueller probe.
Manafort is scheduled to be sentenced next month for convictions in two federal cases but he could be pardoned by US President Donald Trump.
The gathering,which ended with all three men leaving through separate doors,provide a hint at what Mueller is examining in the final stretch of the Russia probe.
Federal authorities will soon begin selling off what's left of Donald Trump's former associate's life.