Putin offers US to extend key nuclear pact right now

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is prepared to immediately extend a pivotal nuclear arms reduction pact with the United States.Speaking at Thursday’s meeting with military officials, Putin said that Russia has repeatedly offered the U.S. to extend the New START treaty that expires in 2021 but hasn’t heard back.He said that “Russia is ready to extend the New START treaty immediately, before the year’s end and without any preconditions.&rdqu