Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East war triggered by US‑Israeli military operations against Iran, according to a statement from the Kremlin following their phone discussion on Friday.
The leaders emphasised the urgent need to halt hostilities and pursue diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation and wider regional instability.
The call comes as the conflict between a US‑Israeli coalition and Iran continues to disrupt energy supplies, global trade and security across the Persian Gulf region. Both heads of state highlighted their shared concern over the devastating humanitarian and economic impacts of intensified military action across the Middle East since hostilities began more than a month ago.
In their conversation, Putin and Erdogan agreed that a ceasefire should pave the way for peace negotiations and compromise agreements that recognise the legitimate interests of all states affected by the war. The Kremlin noted that sustained conflict threatens not only regional stability but also global energy markets and international logistics networks.
The Middle East war was sparked by joint United States Central Command and Israel strikes on Iranian military and strategic targets, leading to widespread combat across the Gulf and raising fears of broader confrontation among neighbouring states.
Putin and Erdogan’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire follows mounting international pressure to end the conflict. Global actors, including major powers and regional organisations, have repeatedly urged de‑escalation and diplomatic dialogues as violence continues to affect millions of civilians in Iran, Israel and surrounding countries.
The joint statement underscores the growing diplomatic efforts by Moscow and Ankara to reduce tensions and prevent the war from spiralling further out of control. Analysts say that cooperation between Russia and Turkey could play a significant role in shaping negotiations and creating space for broader peace talks involving all conflicting parties.
As international calls for peace intensify, the world watches whether diplomatic engagement between these influential leaders will translate into an effective ceasefire and a pathway to ending one of the most volatile conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history.
