Vladimir Putin rejects Barack Obama's claim he has one foot in the past

Vladimir Putin has insisted he is not 'bow-legged' after US President Barack Obama described him as having 'one foot' in Russia's Cold War past.

Mr Putin also called on the United States to shelve plans for a missile defence shield in Europe.

There have been some signs of hope. The two Cold War adversaries are making progress towards a deal slashing their respective nuclear arsenals while Russia agreed to allow the United States to transport arms to Afghanistan across its territory, a significant concession.