Vladimir Putin offers to extend US nuclear deal for one more year

A Russian long range Blackjack bomber (Ministry of Defence/PA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a strong call to save the last existing nuclear arms control pact between his country and the United States, proposing to extend it at least for one year.

Mr Putin’s statement comes amid conflicting signals from Russian and US diplomats about the fate of the New Start treaty that is set to expire in February unless Moscow and Washington agree on its extension.