Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed an online summit with the United States, Britain, France, China, Germany and Iran in a bid to avoid "confrontation and escalation" at the United Nations, where Washington is trying to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, Al Jazeera reports.
"The issue is urgent," Putin said in a statement on Friday, adding that the alternative was "only further escalation of tensions, increasing risk of conflict - such a scenario must be avoided".
French President Emmanuel Macron said he is open to taking part in the seven-way virtual summit proposed by his Russian counterpart over the Iran arms embargo.
"We confirm our availability in principle," the Elysee Palace said in a statement. "We have already taken initiatives in the same spirit in the past."
