Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold five international telephone conversations on October 16. Among these calls, he will hold discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as confirmed by Vladimir Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov, during a press briefing.
"Today, we have what you could call a 'powerful lineup' of five phone conversations. The president has already spoken with the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi. Throughout the day, there will be additional phone discussions with the Presidents of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," Ushakov explained.
Thus, he continued, ahead of his visit to Beijing, Putin will "engage with the key nations involved in this conflict." "Of course, he will convey our assessments, articulate our position, and be attentive to the relevant perspectives of his counterparts," Ushakov added.
The Kremlin spokesman noted that Putin is "closely monitoring the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict." "All matters linked to this conflict are at the forefront of the President's attention," the Kremlin spokesman emphasized.
He recalled that the Russian leader has already publicly addressed this topic, including during his recent trip to Bishkek. "He discussed this situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, who visited Moscow last week. He also had a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan," Ushakov listed the various interactions that have occurred.
Negotiations on Middle East settlement
Ushakov stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and the initiation of negotiations. "In the current climate, our top priority is an immediate cessation of hostilities and the commencement of a political settlement process. While the Middle East conflict has deep historical roots, it is imperative to take decisive and immediate actions to halt this unprecedented escalation," stated the presidential aide.
He emphasized that negotiations aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict should be based on the two-state solution. "We have always believed and continue to believe that any peace talks must work towards realizing the UN-endorsed two-state framework, which envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully and securely alongside Israel," he added.
The Kremlin's position
The Kremlin spokesman emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire and the initiation of a political resolution process. "In the current context, the utmost priority is an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of a political settlement. Although the Middle East conflict is deeply rooted in history, it is imperative to take swift and resolute actions to halt this unprecedented escalation," he remarked.
Ushakov highlighted that, according to various estimates, over 4,000 lives have already been lost due to the intensification of the conflict.
"We have always maintained that the objective of any peace negotiations should be the realization of the UN-endorsed two-state solution, which entails the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully and securely alongside Israel," added the Russian presidential aide.
He clarified that all of these matters are being and will be addressed during the forthcoming phone discussions. Following these conversations, the Kremlin intends to issue a statement to the media.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS