Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the US should set a date for a withdrawal from Iraq.

He was speaking during a live televised question-and-answer session with the public covering both domestic and foreign policy issues.

According to BBC, Putin also said that as long as the US avoided setting a pull-out date, the Iraqi leadership 'won't rush to build up its own security forces'.

He also said Russia planned 'grandiose' improvements to its armed forces.

New missile technology and an overhaul of the nuclear arsenal were also planned, he said.