Even at the height of their Cold War nuclear rivalry, the United States and the Soviet Union thrashed out a series of treaties to keep the arms race from spiralling out of control. Though they agreed on little else,

Russia's FSB said Laurent Vinatier was freed in exchange for Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian who was wanted in the United States for alleged involvement in ransomware attacks.

The U.S. striking Venezuela and capturing its leader has practical implications for China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, and it also sends messages to each nation.

Russia said that any troops sent to Ukraine by Western governments would be "legitimate combat targets", after Britain and France announced plans to deploy a multinational force there in the event of a ceasefire.

NATO allies in the Coalition of the Willing are planning security guarantees for Ukraine once Russia's war is over.

Russian energy majors secured tenders to explore Venezuelan oilfields, while Caracas began what ultimately became an $11bn splurge on Russian arms such as 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, dozens of fighter jets and attack helicopters.

Russia warns Western forces deployed to Ukraine under postwar security deal would be "legitimate combat targets" as diplomatic tensions escalate.