During the conversation on August, 5, Mr Putin and Mr Annan expressed the extent of their concern about the present developments in the region. The President of Russia emphasized that he is in favour of the immediate cessation of armed conflict and of finding a political settlement to the conflict with the participation of all sides. They emphasized that the UN Security Council must act in accordance with its full responsibilities, having accepted to make a resolution on this topic in the shortest possible time frame.
The Russian party especially emphasized the need to mobilize the whole international community in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon.
On August, 6, Mr Putin and Mr Blair exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, and on the drafting of a United Nations Security Council resolution on the current Middle East crisis.
Mr Putin stressed the need for an immediate end to military operations in Lebanon, which have already cost the lives of hundreds of people and brought the region to the brink of humanitarian disaster.
Mr Putin and Mr Blair both noted the importance of achieving a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East and renewing a peaceful political process.