Russian President Vladimir Putin has held telephone talks with the leaders of Syria, Egypt, Iran and Palestine amid the escalating Arab-Israeli conflict. This was reported by the Kremlin press service.
“Today Vladimir Putin held telephone conversations with President Bashar al-Assad of the Syrian Arab Republic, President Ebrahim Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine and President Abdelfattah Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt,” the Kremlin press service said.
The participants in the discussion focused on the sharply escalated Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The sides expressed extreme concern over the large-scale escalation of hostilities, accompanied by a catastrophic increase in civilian casualties and the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The colleagues also expressed a unanimous view on the need for an early ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian truce to urgently provide assistance to all those in need.
“The Russian President listened to the views and assessments of his colleagues, who emphasised the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to lift the blockade of the Strip for the urgent delivery of medicine, food and other vital goods. Serious concern about the likelihood of the conflict escalating into a regional war was also noted,” the Russian presidential administration said.
Vladimir Putin emphasised the unacceptability of any form of violence against civilians. The Russian president reiterated the Russian side’s mood to coordinate efforts with all constructive partners in order to stop hostilities and stabilise the situation as soon as possible.
“In this context, Vladimir Putin reiterated a principled position in favour of resuming the political process in order to reach a long-term and just solution to the Palestinian problem on a known international legal basis, which would provide for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security with Israel,” the Kremlin summed up.