<span style="color: #222222;">Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the US claim that his country developed a new cruise missile in violation of a key nuclear treaty. He said that Russia has no need for such a land-based weapon because it already has similar missiles on its ships and aircraft. Mr Putin was speaking to Russia's top military brass yesterday. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Washington warned this month it would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 60 days if Russia did not return to full compliance. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The US claims the 9M729 cruise missile breaches the INF, which bans all land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusation.</span><br />