MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East conflict during a phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
“The leaders noted their shared positions on the need for an immediate ceasefire and the development of compromise peace agreements that take into account the legitimate interests of all states in the region,” the statement said.
“It was noted that intense military action is leading to serious negative consequences not only regionally but also globally, including in the areas of energy, trade, and logistics,” the Kremlin added.
Putin and Erdogan also discussed “the importance of coordinated measures to ensure comprehensive security in the Black Sea region,” the Kremlin said, while accusing Ukraine of “attempts to target gas transportation infrastructure connecting Russia and Turkey.”
The Middle East has remained on high alert since the United States and Israel launched a large-scale air offensive against Iran on February 28.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, as well as several Gulf countries that are not part of the conflict.
It is pertinent to mention that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and discussed the ongoing military escalation in the region.
During the phone conversation, President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s support for safeguarding the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Both leaders also discussed the adverse consequences of the ongoing escalation, particularly its impact on maritime security and the global economy.
