Putin-Xi join over phone on Iran-Israel conflict, urge ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on Thursday, June 19, addressing the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to political dialogue, reports CNN.

According to CNN official readouts and reports, President Xi called on all major powers to de-escalate tensions, urging the international community to act responsibly to prevent the crisis from spiraling further.

Both leaders condemned Israel’s recent military strikes on Iranian targets, with Xi Jinping explicitly urging both Iran and Israel to "immediately cease hostilities." Speaking more pointedly about Israel, Xi said, "The parties involved in the conflict, especially Israel, must quickly reach a ceasefire to prevent the situation from getting out of control and tensions from spreading elsewhere."

The Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Xi were aligned in their position that there is "no military solution" to the Iran-Israel crisis or to the ongoing disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The two leaders emphasized that a resolution must come through political and diplomatic channels.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov stated that President Putin expressed readiness to act as a mediator if necessary—a proposal that Xi reportedly welcomed.

In a separate statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry echoed Xi’s call for restraint, urging all parties with influence in the region to play a constructive role in de-escalation. While no specific countries were named, the remarks were widely seen as directed at Washington.