Obama asks Russians to forge partnership with US

MOSCOW (AP) - President Barack Obama is leaving Russia with a call for Russians to move beyond Cold War thinking and work with
the United States on common goals.
   
The president told graduates of the New Economic School that “it is difficult to forge a lasting partnership between former
adversaries.“ But he said it’s in the interest of both countries to halt the spread of nuclear weapons, confront violent extremists, ensure economic prosperity and advance the rights of people.
   
In his two-day visit, Obama met with Russia’s leaders, opposition leaders and a diverse collection of health experts, environmentalists, reporters and human rights advocates.
   
Obama and President Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE’-tree med-VYEH’-dyev) said they were determined by year’s end to negotiate a new nuclear arms treaty that would slash both country’s arsenals by about one-third.
   
But after meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Obama acknowledged that on some divisive issues there won’t be “a meeting of the minds anytime soon.“