MOSCOW/RIYADH, April 2, (V7N) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call Thursday, stressing the need to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing Middle East war.

“Both sides emphasised the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a long‑term settlement of the conflict,” the Kremlin said in a read‑out of the call.

The conversation comes as Ukraine signed an air defence deal with Saudi Arabia, while the Gulf nation continues to grapple with Iranian drone attacks.

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