Putin, Xi Discuss G7 Frictions, Israel-Iran Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call to discuss the discord observed among G7 leaders at the recent summit in Canada. The summit was marked by challenges in achieving unity over the war in Ukraine, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Putin and left early to address the Israel-Iran conflict, thereby missing a chance to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Putin and Xi noted the 'rough edges' in relations between G7 participants and remarked that Zelenskyy's trip was not very successful. Their discussion also covered the escalating Middle East crisis, bilateral ties, and cooperation within the BRICS group, including plans for a summit in Brazil and a new investment platform for the Global South. The two leaders agreed to meet later in the year at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin for further talks. This call highlighted the growing divisions within Western alliances and reinforced the close coordination between Russia and China amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.