Putin calls for end to war in talks with Saudi crown prince

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for intensified political and diplomatic efforts to end the war on Iran during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to a Kremlin readout, both sides stressed the need for a swift halt to hostilities and a push towards a long-term settlement.

The call comes as Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia since 2022, recently signed an air defence deal with Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iranian drone attacks.

Kyiv has sought to use its experience countering Russian drones to assist Gulf countries facing similar threats, proposing an exchange of its interceptor technology for advanced air defence systems.