News - Middle East: Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to refrain from further escalation following recent deadly clashes on the border between the two neighboring countries, calling on both sides to settle their disputes through peaceful diplomatic means.

Putin made the remarks on Sunday as he spoke on the phone with leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan about the situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, where border clashes erupted on Wednesday between the two countries.

“Vladimir Putin called on the parties to prevent further escalation and take steps to resolve the situation as soon as possible by exclusively peaceful, political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

He also “confirmed Russia’s readiness to provide the necessary assistance to ensure stability in the Kyrgyz-Tajik border region,” it added.