Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation on Thursday during which both leaders condemned Israel for its strikes on Iran, the Kremlin said.
The sides “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 are fundamentally convinced that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme. This solution should be achieved exclusively by political and diplomatic means,” Ushakov added.
According to him, the interlocutors also discussed the countries’ bilateral relations, and there is an agreement that Putin and Xi will meet in China on 31 August-3 September.
Putin has in recent days communicated with US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkianomi saying that Russia is ready to mediate between the parties.
The other day, French President Emmanuel Macron rejected US President Donald Trump’s idea of Russia mediating the crisis between Israel and Iran.
“I don’t believe that Russia, which is now involved in a high-intensity conflict and has decided for several years now not to respect the UN Charter, can be a mediator,” Macron said during his visit to Greenland.
Iran and Israel continue to exchange missile and drone strikes. Israel began airstrikes on Iranian territory on 13 June, attacking nuclear, military and energy facilities. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel.
Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 224 people were killed. Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said more than 90 per cent of the casualties were civilians. The newsroom could not verify these figures from independent sources.
According to the Israeli side, 23 people were killed in the Iranian attacks.