Putin, Saudi King Discuss Syria, Israeli-Palestinian Violence in Phone Call

Vladimir Putin and King Salman of Saudi Arabia in a phone call discussed the Syrian political settlement and the deterioration of the situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Salman of Saudi Arabia in a phone call on Monday exchanged views on the Syrian political settlement and expressed concern over the deterioration of the situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

According to the statement, the sides discussed the Syrian crisis in a follow up of the October 23 ministerial meeting in Vienna and "subsequent contacts at various levels and formats."

Putin and King Salman "also discussed the Middle east settlement and expressed concern over the continuing deterioration of the situation in Israel and Palestine," the Kremlin said.

Recently, a renewed wave of violence between Palestinians and Israelis broke out amid fears Tel Aviv is planning to revise the status quo at the Temple Mount, which houses the Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site.

Palestinians seek diplomatic and economic recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. Israel has been building settlements on the occupied territories, despite objections from the United Nations.