In his first call to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump interrupted the call to ask an aide to explain what the New START nuclear weapons treaty was.

Then he said that the treaty was a ‘bad deal’, according to two veteran Reuters reporter.

‘When Putin raised the possibility of extending the 2010 treaty, known as New START, Trump paused to ask his aides in an aside what the treaty was,’ Jonathan Landay and David Rohde of Reuters wrote.

‘Trump then told Putin the treaty was one of several bad deals negotiated by the Obama administration, saying that New START favored Russia. Trump also talked about his own popularity.’

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Donald J Trump has a history of alarming statements on nuclear weapons – hinting that he would be willing to unleash the hydrogen bomb on targets in Europe.

‘I’m not going to take it off the table,’ he said.

Trump has also suggested in interviews that he would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Islamic State.

The Reuters reported were told of the contents of the call by people who were briefed by administration officials, and who saw notes taken of the call.

The White House has not commented on the allegations.