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,” said Ushakov.

In the call, Xi also urged more diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

Xi, without naming the United States, said “major countries” with “special influence” in the region should step up diplomatic efforts to cool down the situation, the report said.