Israeli PM, Russian president discuss Middle East issues over phone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on Saturday evening, during which the two leaders exchanged views on the Middle East situation, according to statements from both sides.

Netanyahu's office said the two leaders spoke at Putin's initiative, following a series of previous talks on regional issues. It did not provide further details on the conversation.

According to the Russian presidency, the two leaders discussed in detail the recent developments in Gaza in light of the ceasefire, Iran's nuclear program and Syria's further stabilization, among other issues.

On Thursday, Russia introduced its own draft UN resolution on Gaza, challenging a U.S. push for the UN Security Council to approve a separate proposal supporting U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

According to media reports, the U.S. proposal calls for an international stabilization force in Gaza with broad independence from the UN, while granting Israel continued control over the security perimeter surrounding Gaza for an unspecified period.

Meanwhile, the Russian proposal focuses on creating an international stabilization force under direct UN authority, opposes any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza, and urges implementation of the two-state solution.

(Cover via VCG)