Russia on Tuesday fought to stop its new-found partnership with the United States going off the rails over Iraq but admitted their deep differences could destroy the anti-terror coalition binding them together. Speaking by telephone with President Bush as U.S. forces girded for action against Iraq, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said he regretted Bush’s 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to go into exile. But the Kremlin said the two men had stressed the need to keep talking in the coming days, underscoring Putin’s resolve to preserve his relationship with Bush through the crisis ahead. However, there were sharp words from Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and parliament put off a vote to ratify a key bilateral nuclear arms treaty, further signaling Russian anger at Washington’s rush toward military action. Full Story