China and Russia positioning themselves as voices of reason, calling for de-escalation of a conflict the United States is contemplating on entering — these are the optics Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sought to project during a phone call on Thursday.

The Russian leader is eyeing a peacemaking role in the Middle East as his country continues to wage war in Ukraine.

The US president said the Russian despot stepped forward to help end the conflict between Israel and Iran, saying Moscow could help negotiate a settlement