China and Russia positioning themselves as voices of reason, calling for de-escalation of a conflict the United States is contemplating on entering — these are the optics Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sought to project during a phone call on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin said he’s willing to meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky but suggested the democratically elected leader couldn’t legally sign a peace deal.

The question is who will sign the documents.