Obama urges Russian cooperation on Iran

AP: President Barack Obama says the U.S., Europe and Russia have an interest in keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The Associated Press

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S., Europe and Russia have an interest in keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

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 U.S.-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 cease-fire there, the region still has not stabilized.

Sarkozy echoed Obama's sentiments, saying the last thing the world needs is a "new cold war."