Moscow, April 2 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on Thursday for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an intensification of political and diplomatic efforts for a long-term resolution to the West Asia conflict.
The two held a telephone conversation during which a "thorough review of issues related to the crisis in the Middle East was conducted," the Kremlin said.
Both sides expressed "serious concern" about the deteriorating military and political situation in the region, civilian casualties, and the destruction of strategically important infrastructure, it said.
They emphasised the need for a "rapid cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a long-term resolution of the conflict, with due regard for the legitimate interests of all parties,” the Kremlin readout said.
The two leaders also underlined the importance of joint work between Russia and Saudi Arabia in the "OPEC Plus" format to stabilize the global oil market, which has been destabilized due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders.
The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region. The conflict has had a major impact on energy supply chains, especially across the Strait of Hormuz.
Putin, who on Tuesday had discussed the resolution of the Gulf conflict with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met his Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in the Kremlin on Thursday.
Asserting that the situation in the region remains a "shared concern," Putin said, "We all hope that the ongoing conflict will be promptly resolved."
He said that US President Donald Trump also addressed the issue on Wednesday, and added, "Let me reiterate that we are prepared to make every effort to help stabilize the situation and, as they say in such cases, return it to normal.”
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow is willing to mediate if all parties agree to such mediation.