Putin says U.S. missile shield hinders nuclear deal

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia Dec 29 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said U.S. plans for a missile defence system were hindering talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Speaking to reporters in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, Putin said U.S. plans for the missile shield in Europe would destroy the strategic balance between the United States and Russia.

"In order to preserve balance... we need to develop offensive weapons systems," Putin said. He added that Russia wanted access to more information on U.S. missile defence plans and would link such a demand with the new nuclear treaty. (Reporting by Gleb Bryanski, writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Conor Sweeney)