Putin: Russia is ready to do whatever is necessary to restore peace in the Middle East

- Russia hopes for a swift end to the war in the Middle East and is ready to do whatever is necessary to restore peace in the region, Interfax news agency quoted President Vladimir Putin as saying on Thursday.

TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying he would speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday in the latest in a series of contacts he is making with leaders in the region.