The Kremlin said Putin had briefed Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on “the course of a special military operation to protect Donbas.”
During the call, the statement says, “he also noted that the Russian delegation is in the Belarusian city of Gomel and is ready to negotiate with the representatives of Kiev, who, showing inconsistency, have not yet taken advantage of this opportunity.”
Bennet, for his part, proposed that Israel act as a mediator in the talks between Russia and Ukraine “to stop hostilities,” the Kremlin said.
Bennett’s office said the two men “discussed the situation between Russia and Ukraine.”
The call followed reports that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had asked Israel to play a mediating role in the aftermath of the Russian invasion.
Bennett and Zelensky spoke on Friday.
Russia wants to hold talks with the Kiev authorities in Belarus, which has allowed the passage of Russian troops to invade Ukraine.
Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine was willing to hold talks with Russia, but refused to hold them in neighboring Belarus.