Russia is considering reopening military bases in Vietnam and Cuba in another sign of its deteriorating relationship with the US.

Moscow had bases in both countries until 2002 when it lowered its flags in a scaling back of its global military presence.

The threat to reinstate the bases comes after Russia suspended a nuclear disarmament agreement with the US over economic sanctions imposed following the annexation of Crimea.

Moscow is also concerned by the presence of NATO troops in Eastern Europe, while the two countries have recently clashed over their respective actions in Syria.

Russian deputy defence minister Nikolai Pankov confirmed the ministry was "rethinking" past decisions on the closures.


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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added: "The global situation is not static, it is in flux, and the last two years have made significant changes to international affairs and security.

"Therefore, it's quite natural that all countries assess these changes in line with their national interests and take certain steps in the way they consider appropriate."

Meanwhile, Moscow has warned the US not to carry out airstrikes against the Syrian army while Russia goes to the aid of President Bashar al Assad's forces.

Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov issued a statement on Thursday saying any US strikes on areas controlled by Mr Assad could jeopardise the lives of Russian servicemen.

The statement said: "I would recommend our colleagues in Washington to carefully weigh possible consequences of the fulfilment of such plans."

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In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby responded: "We're looking at the full range of options here and those comments notwithstanding, we still have a responsibility as a government to consider all those options.

"I don't find them (comments like the warning) helpful to moving forward, to reach some sort of diplomatic solution here. But the Russians should speak for themselves and why they're saying that kind of thing."

Tensions have increased since the US-led coalition's air raid on Syrian army positions near Deir al Zour that killed 60 Syrian soldiers.

Russia rejected the US explanation that the attack was a mistake.

Since Russia launched its air campaign in Syria in support of Mr Assad's forces in September 2015, both super powers have kept in contact to prevent any mid-air incidents.

The Russian general warned, however, that Russian forces would not have time to use the hotline if it spotted missiles on their way to targets in Syria.

The US, meanwhile, wants a war crimes investigation into Russia's actions in Syria.