MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin is continuing contact with regional leaders to help resolve the Iran conflict, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia is ready to contribute diplomatically if required.
“The president is continuing these contacts, and if our services are somehow required, we are, of course, ready to make our contribution to ensuring that the military situation transitions to a peaceful course as soon as possible,” he said.
Peskov was responding to a question regarding remarks by US President Donald Trump, who addressed the nation on the Iran war and indicated he was considering withdrawing the United States from NATO.
Peskov reiterated Moscow’s longstanding position, describing NATO as a hostile alliance.
Pakistan, China joint peace plan
On Tuesday, Pakistan said a joint five-point peace initiative developed with China had received broad international support as diplomatic efforts intensify to de-escalate the conflict.
Speaking at a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the proposal had been widely appreciated “across the region and beyond,” including by US leadership.
🔴LIVE: Spokesperson’s Weekly Press Briefing 02-04-2026 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/2CIL4Nphhm
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 2, 2026
The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, steps to prevent further escalation, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
It also emphasises the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, alongside adherence to international humanitarian law.
Spokesperson Andrabi said the initiative aligns closely with parallel diplomatic efforts discussed in Beijing and outcomes of recent consultations held in Islamabad involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt.
He added that similar frameworks emerging from meetings in Urumqi, Beijing and Islamabad had all received strong support.
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach
Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic engagement in recent weeks, positioning itself as a potential intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
According to Andrabi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have held extensive consultations with regional and global counterparts, including Iran’s president, the UN secretary-general, and leaders from China, Turkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
“These engagements were aimed at reducing tensions and building consensus for negotiations,” Andrabi said.
Pakistan also welcomed Iran’s decision to allow additional ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a constructive step towards stability and confidence-building.
Pakistan host quadrilateral meeting
Diplomatic momentum has gathered pace since Sunday, when Islamabad hosted a quadrilateral meeting involving Pakistan’s Deputy PM Dar and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt.
The meeting called for an immediate and permanent end to the Iran conflict.
Briefing the media after the talks, Dar said both the United States and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to facilitate dialogue.
US and Iran express confidence in Pakistan to facilitate talks. Possible US-Iran negotiations may take place in Pakistan in the coming days. Pakistan would be honoured to host and facilitate the talks.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pic.twitter.com/Ix84IWBdt8— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) March 29, 2026
He added that Islamabad would be “honoured” to host negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
The initiative has also received backing from China and the UN secretary-general, according to Pakistani officials.
The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, has now entered its second month, with mounting regional and global repercussions.
