Putin urges extension of key nuclear accord

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday 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. Putin’s statement came amid conflicting signals from Russian and US diplomats about the fate of the New START treaty that is set to expire in February unless the two countries agree on its extension. Speaking at a meeting of the National Security Council, Putin said “it would be extremely sad if the treaty ceases to exist without being replaced by another fundamental document of the kind”.