Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Moscow’s willingness to mediate between Iran and Israel, the Kremlin announced Thursday, following a high-level phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The hour-long conversation focused on the escalating violence in the Middle East, which has already claimed hundreds of lives and raised global fears of a broader regional war.
According to Putin’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, the discussion was “friendly and constructive,” underscoring the close alignment between Moscow and Beijing on the issue. “Both leaders strongly condemn Israel’s actions, which violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law,” Ushakov said in a briefing.
Putin updated Xi on recent conversations he held with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the aftermath of Israel’s massive airstrike on Iran last week. The attack, which targeted nuclear and military facilities, triggered Iranian retaliation and has left at least 639 people dead in Iran and 24 in Israel, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group and Israeli officials.
Amid the mounting crisis, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s “readiness to carry out possible mediation efforts, if necessary,” a proposal Ushakov said Xi welcomed. The Chinese president reportedly viewed the offer as a “positive step” toward de-escalation.
“Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation or to issues related to Iran’s nuclear program,” Ushakov stated. “This must be resolved exclusively through political and diplomatic means.”
In a signal of increased coordination, the two leaders agreed to instruct their respective foreign ministries and national security agencies to remain in close communication and share information in the coming days.
The Kremlin’s diplomatic overture comes amid heightened global concern about the conflict’s potential to spiral into a wider war. Russia has already condemned Israel’s initial strike and called for restraint on all sides.
Putin also spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend, discussing ways to revive talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump, who is widely expected to run for re-election, has not ruled out direct military intervention. CBS News reported he has approved a potential military plan targeting Iran, though no final decision has been made.
The coordinated messaging between Moscow and Beijing reflects growing cooperation between the two powers on global security issues, particularly in opposition to what they see as unilateral U.S. actions in the Middle East.
While Western powers have yet to publicly respond to Putin’s mediation offer, analysts say the Russia-China tandem could add pressure for renewed diplomatic efforts, particularly if Washington remains focused on military options.
