Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov over the telephone today to discuss the regional situation, a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated Russia’s offer of mediation and provision of [a] venue for the talks between India and Pakistan," said the foreign ministry statement.

"The Foreign Minister welcomed the Russian offer and added that he had acknowledged Russia’s constructive role from the floor of the Joint Session of Parliament earlier in the day, which was well-received," it added.