Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its Iran strikes in phone call, says Kremlin
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping during Victory Day at the Kremlin, in Moscow, on May 9.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
ST PETERSBURG – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on June 19, during which both leaders condemned Israel for its strikes on Iran and agreed de-escalation was needed, the Kremlin said.
Both men “strongly condemn Israel’s actions, which violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law”, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
“Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme,” he said.
“This solution must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means.”
Without naming the US, Mr Xi said during the call that “major countries” with “special influence” in the region should step up diplomatic efforts to cool down the situation, according to a readout from China’s official Xinhua news agency.
“The warring parties, especially Israel, should cease fire as soon as possible to prevent a cycle of escalation and resolutely avoid the spillover of the war,” he said.
He also urged efforts to protect civilians, calling on Israel and Iran to facilitate the evacuation of citizens from other countries.
Russia has warned of catastrophe should the Israel-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, escalate further and has urged the US not to join Israel’s bombardment.
Mr Putin has been in touch with US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in recent days and has repeatedly said Russia stands ready to mediate between the warring sides.
Thus far, no one has taken up Russia’s offer.
On June 19, Mr Putin reiterated that proposition in his phone call with Mr Xi, a close ally.
The Chinese leader expressed support for the idea, Mr 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.
Beijing has long backed Tehran as part of efforts to deepen its strategic and economic heft in the Middle East.
Extending a financial lifeline to Iran amid US sanctions on Tehran, China buys up to 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, say analysts, in transhipment trades off the coast of Malaysia. REUTERS
