Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its Iran strikes in phone call, Kremlin says

ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on Thursday during which both leaders condemned Israel for its strikes on Iran and agreed de-escalation was needed, the Kremlin said.

Both men "strongly condemn Israel's actions, which violate the U.N. Charter and other norms of international law," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

"Both Moscow and Beijing fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran's nuclear programme.

"This solution must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means," said Ushakov.

Russia has warned of catastrophe should the Israel-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, escalate further, and has urged the U.S. not to join Israel's bombardment.

Putin has been in touch with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in recent days and has repeatedly said Russia stands ready to mediate between the warring sides.

Thus far, no one has taken up Russia's offer.

On Thursday, Putin reiterated that proposition in his phone call with Xi, a close ally.

The Chinese leader expressed support for the idea, Ushakov said, "as he believes it could serve to de-escalate the current acute situation."

The two men agreed to keep in close contact in the coming days.

(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Andrew Osborn)