Russia pledges not to stand in the way of Paris climate deal

Vladimir Putin assures that his negotiators will not block an agreement that has the backing of other major countries

Russia has pledged not to stand in the way of a deal at the Paris climate change conference, removing another obstacle to a potential agreement, the Guardian has learned.

President Vladimir Putin is understood to have given his personal assurance to Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, that his negotiators will not block an agreement that has the backing of other major countries.