Putin, Xi condemn Israel over Iran strikes, urge de-escalation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both condemned Israel on Thursday over its strikes on Iran and agreed that de-escalation was needed, the Kremlin said after the two leaders spoke by telephone.

- Agencies

ST PETERSBURG/BEIJING:

Putin and Xi "strongly condemn Israel's actions, which violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law", Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

"Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran's nuclear programme.

"This solution must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means," said Ushakov.

Without naming the United States, Xi said during the call that "major countries" with "special influence" in the region should step up diplomatic efforts to cool down the situation, according to a readout from China's official Xinhua news agency.