(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone ahead of the United Nations Security Council’s vote concerning the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Gaza.

The Kremlin stated on Saturday that "a thorough exchange of views took place on the situation in the Middle East region, including developments in the Gaza Strip in the context of implementing the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detainees.”

The conversation also covered Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the ongoing situation in Syria.

Netanyahu’s office issued a brief statement, noting that the Israeli leader and the Russian president had addressed “regional issues.”

Earlier this month, the United States circulated a draft resolution to authorize the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza for a minimum of two years.

The resolution also proposed the creation of the so-called Board of Peace as a transitional governing body.

On Friday, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia released a collective statement supporting the American initiative.

Meanwhile, Moscow submitted a competing proposal directing the UN secretary-general to develop options for implementing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

The Russian mission criticized the American draft for lacking “instruments of oversight and control” for the stabilization force and for not addressing the two-state solution.

It emphasized that “only a truly equal and inclusive approach” can ensure lasting peace.

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