Putin, Netanyahu discuss West Asia in phone call as Russia attempts to counter US at UNSC – Firstpost

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed developments in Asia in a rare phone call on Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Kremlin confirmed in a joint statement on Saturday. During their telephonic communication, the two leaders focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

According to the statement, they held lengthy discussions on the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as the implementation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump. Apart from this, both the leaders also discussed the status of Iran’s nuclear program and issues related to making Syria more stable.

In the statement, the Israeli PMO said the phone call was made at the request of the Russian leader. Meanwhile, the Kremlin called the talks a “thorough exchange of views.”

not the first time

It is noteworthy that both the leaders had discussed the development of this area last month. At the time, the Russian leader reaffirmed Moscow’s position “in favor of a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.”

Issues related to both Syria and Iran were also discussed in their talks last month. Earlier, Putin and Netanyahu had talked on the phone in August. The phone call came as multiple Israeli news outlets reported that Netanyahu’s office is working closely with Russia in an effort to resolve several different issues.

This also included tensions between the US and Russia following Putin’s insistence on continuing the war in Ukraine. The phone call also came after Russia on Thursday put forward its own draft of a UN resolution on Gaza. The move was seen as a challenge to the US effort to pass its own text in the Security Council that would support the US-brokered Gaza deal.

In a note to UNSC members, Russia’s UN mission said its “counter-proposal is inspired by the US draft.” reuters Informed. “Our draft aims to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable and integrated approach to a permanent cessation of hostilities,” the note said.

Received by Russian Draft reuters There are calls for the UN Secretary-General to identify options for an international stabilization force for Gaza, and no mention of the “peace board” that the US has proposed as a transitional administration for Gaza.

With inputs from agencies.