Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, on Sunday warned Donald Trump against leaving a Cold War-era weapons treaty, saying the move could have unintended consequences.

The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was negotiated by Mr Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan to eliminate all land-based nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges between 310 and 3400 miles.

However, the US has repeatedly accused Russia of violating its terms.

Both sides have hinted at military retaliation in a dispute that threatens a return to the darkest days of the Cold War.

Mr Gorbachev said Mr Trump’s announcement at the weekend that he was abandoning the deal was a mistake.

"Under no circumstances should we tear up old disarmament agreements. ... Do they really not understand in Washington what this could lead to?" he said, according to Interfax News Agency.

"Quitting the INF is a mistake."