Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call. Both leaders criticised Israel for its strikes on Iran and agreed that de-escalation was necessary, according to the Kremlin.
Russian and Chinese government officials have stated their serious concerns and denounced the recent attacks against Iran’s nuclear and military facilities by Israel. Both nations worry about an escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, and by extension, the risks to regional stability.
What did Putin and Xi say about Israel’s strikes?
Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, told reporters that in their phone calls, both leaders had “identical approaches” to the regional confrontation and agreed that the crisis can’t be resolved through military activity.
Both leaders “strongly condemn Israel’s actions, which violate the U.N. Charter and other norms of international law,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov informed journalists.
“Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme. This solution must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means,” stated Ushakov.
Russia has also asked the US not to join Israel’s bombing and has threatened a catastrophe if the Israel-Iran crisis, which is currently on its seventh day, worsens.
In recent days, the president of Russia has also communicated with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. President Donald Trump. He has stated time and again that Russia is prepared to arbitrate between the warring parties. No one has accepted Russia’s offer yet. In a phone conversation with close ally Xi on Thursday, Putin restated that claim.
What did Xi say about tensions in the Middle East?
The Chinese leader expressed support for the idea, Ushakov said, “as he believes it could serve to de-escalate the current acute situation.” The two men agreed to keep in close contact in the coming days.
Two days ago, China’s President Xi Jinping condemned Israeli attacks on Iran for the sudden spike in tensions in the Middle East, calling for an end to military confrontations.
“China is deeply concerned about the sudden escalation of tension in the Middle East caused by Israel’s military action against Iran. We oppose any act that infringes on the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries,” Xi pointed out during a gathering in the Kazakh capital, Astana.
