Putin backs nuclear arms treaty
By CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty
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Putin (center) answers questions at Saturday's briefing.
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MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday his government will work with the Russian parliament to assure passage of a nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States.
The treaty, already ratified by the U.S. Senate is now stuck in the Russian parliament because of objections to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Putin said "our position and that of the U.S. differ on Iraq and this is creating an unfavorable setting for passage of this treaty.
"Russia is interested in the ratification of this document."
The Russian president made his comments while visiting the headquarters of Russia's Space Forces. He also said the world community is capable of controlling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction .
He called for strengthening international law on weapons proliferation and said the more unified the world's position on this issue is, the more effective it will be.
Bush phoned Putin Saturday. In their conversations, they discussed Iraq and, according to the Kremlin Press Service, they agreed to continue their intensive political dialog to find a solution which meets the interest of the international community.
Russia has consistently stressed that major decisions on post-war Iraq should be made by the United Nations.
The two also discussed their upcoming May summit, according to the press service.
