Row as Nato chief hints at talks to increase availability of nuclear weapons

Jens Stoltenberg accused of escalation of tension' as he warns of growing threat from Russia and China

The Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has indicated that the military alliance is considering whether to increase the number of available nuclear weapons, triggering warnings from experts about the possibility of a new arms race.

Stoltenberg said Nato could, for the first time, face a significant nuclear threat from two fronts - Russia and China - and that it may be necessary to increase the number of deployable warheads as a deterrent.