Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin confirmed on Saturday.
The call comes as regional tensions continue to mount, particularly surrounding Gaza and ongoing efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire.
According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the two leaders engaged in an “extensive exchange of views” on developments across the region. The discussion focused heavily on the situation in Gaza in the context of the recently implemented ceasefire agreement and continued negotiations on prisoner exchanges. Moscow has increasingly signalled its desire to play a mediating role, with the Kremlin emphasising Putin’s readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at ending the crisis.
The phone call with Netanyahu followed an earlier conversation between Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. During that discussion, the two leaders addressed energy cooperation, ongoing bilateral projects, and broader international issues. They also reviewed plans for new joint initiatives, including the construction of a third energy unit at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, further strengthening strategic collaboration between Moscow and Minsk.
The renewed diplomatic activity underscores Russia’s continued attempt to project influence in the Middle East, even as geopolitical shifts, humanitarian concerns, and international pressure intensify. With Washington reportedly considering the creation of a “Green Zone” in Gaza—protected by both international and Israeli forces—the regional landscape remains highly dynamic, pushing global powers to recalibrate their strategies.
The Kremlin’s outreach to Israel comes at a time of delicate political balancing for Moscow, which has maintained ties with multiple actors across the region, including Iran, Hamas, and the Israeli government. The latest communication suggests the Kremlin is positioning itself as a potential broker at a moment when diplomatic channels are strained and the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to grow.
Russian officials have not disclosed further details of the discussion, and Israel has yet to release its own readout of the call. Authorities in Moscow have encouraged anyone with interest in regional developments to follow updates through official channels.
