US-Russia ties at stake with START vote: diplomat: "US-Russia relations could suffer if senators fail to ratify a new arms control treaty, with Moscow possibly refusing to back Washington's policy on Iran, a top US official said Tuesday.
Forging a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) has bolstered cooperation between the former Cold War foes on national security issues, paving the way for Moscow to support new UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, said Rose Gottemoeller, who helped negotiate the accord.
"We have gotten some immediate benefits into the Russian relationship from working so closely together on the START deal. I see an effect particularly on our ability to work with the Russians on Iran," said Gottemoeller, assistant secretary of state for verification, compliance and implementation.
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