Moscow-Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation focusing on the current situation in the Middle East, according to the Kremlin press service.

The discussion covered recent regional developments, particularly in relation to the US president’s proposed plan for normalization in the Gaza Strip, the statement added.

The two leaders spoke about other regional issues including the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme and stabilisation in Syria, a statement said.

Putin has previously hailed Trump’s plan for Gaza and voiced hope it will be successfully implemented. At the same time, the Russian leader has reaffirmed Moscow’s support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state as a pivotal component of the Middle East peace settlement.