Obama: We can't have nuclear arms race in Mideast
United States president says world has interest in preventing Iran from acquiring nukes, adds there's 'great potential' to improve US-Russia ties
President Barack Obama said Friday the US, Europe and Russia have an interest in keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, stressing that the world cannot afford a Mideastern nuclear arms race.
During a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Strasbourg, France, Obama said Friday that the world "cannot have a nuclear arms race in the Middle East." He also said it's important for NATO to talk to Russia.
Obama said there's "great potential" to improve US-Russian relations, but he cautioned that Russia can't go back to its "old ways." He cited the Russian invasion of Georgia last August and said despite Sarkozy's efforts to broker a ceasefire there, the region still has not stabilized.
'Last thing world needs is new cold war'
Obama said some differences remained with Russia despite talks in London on Wednesday with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at which they agreed to seek a deal on cutting their nuclear arsenals.
"It is important for NATO allies to engage Russia, and to recognize that they have legitimate interests. In some case we have common interests, but we also have some core disagreements," he said, without giving details.
"I think we should be in a dialogue with them about how we can maintain stability, while respecting the autonomy and independence of all countries in Europe - west, east, central, wherever they are."
Sarkozy echoed Obama's sentiments, saying the last thing the world needs is a "new cold war."
