India, Russia reject Pak claims of Putin's offer to mediate

Pakistan on Thursday embarrassed itself as it made claims of a non-existent Russian offer to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria during a weekly media briefing said, "Pakistan welcomes Russia's attention and intention to play a role in this long-standing issue on the UNSC agenda." He was reacting to reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin had apparently told Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he was willing to help resolve differences between India and Pakistan. However, Russia was quick to rubbish any such report on Putin's offer of mediation.