MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Russian president "emphasized, among other things, the importance of upholding the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as strengthening its internal political stability through respect for the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic and religious groups in the population," the statement noted.

According to the Kremlin press service, Putin also underscored Moscow's willingness to engage in efforts to seek a negotiated resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

"Against the backdrop of the recent escalation in Iranian-Israeli tensions, Russia has expressed its readiness to provide all possible assistance in facilitating a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue," the statement said.