Putin and Xi call for ceasefire, condemn Israeli strikes on Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have jointly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran during a phone call on Thursday, according to statements from both Moscow and Beijing.

The two leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and stressed the importance of resolving the crisis through diplomatic channels.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin and Xi "strongly condemn Israel's actions" and believe a resolution must be achieved “exclusively by political and diplomatic means”.

Chinese state media said Xi urged Israel to halt its military operations, calling a ceasefire the “top priority”. He warned against further escalation, saying, “Armed force is not the correct way to resolve international disputes,” and added that parties involved, “especially Israel, should cease hostilities as soon as possible to prevent a cyclical escalation and resolutely avoid the spillover of the war".