The Russian president warned against fulfilling a Ukrainian request for more powerful long-range missiles, while also suggesting President Trump would decide against the idea.

Huge explosion in attack on Kyiv gas facilities after Putin warns Trump of ‘escalation’ - Some 35 missiles were said to have struck crucial gas facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava on Friday

Since his re-election, Donald Trump has intensified his offensive against press freedom. His administration’s decision to dismantle US public broadcasters has directly benefited Vladimir Putin’s propaganda.

The New START, signed by then U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. Its looming expiration and the lack of dialogue on anchoring a successor deal have worried arms control advocates.

Dmitry Medvedev suggests US President was bluffing when he said he had moved "a submarine or two" to Russia's coast.

Mr. Putin said Russia didn’t want to provoke a strategic arms race with the United States, but his offer is limited in scope.