LISBON, Portugal — President Barack Obama appealed Saturday to Republicans in the Senate to stop blocking a nuclear arms pact with Moscow, saying failure to soon ratify it could jeopardize improving relations with Russia and send a mixed signal to Iran about the strength of the international front against its nuclear program.
He blamed the supercharged partisan climate in Washington for the delay and said inaction on the pact would leave “a partner hanging” at a time of better cooperation among the United States, its NATO partners and Russia.
Obama said European allies at the NATO summit told him that the stalled treaty is crucial to U.S.-European security. He talked with reporters after the 28-nation alliance met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Denver Post wire services
