(JNS) Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Riga, Latvia, this week in discussions that had the top U.S. diplomat commending Israel’s diplomatic endeavors on the Russia-Ukraine front.

“We appreciate all efforts by friends and allies to look for a diplomatic resolution,” said Blinken.

Lapid said that Israel “is totally committed to doing everything possible to stop the war in Ukraine. We have condemned the Russian invasion, and we still do, and Israel is a partner in the global effort to make sure and clarify that this war must be stopped.”

He continued: “The way to stop a war is to negotiate. Israel is speaking with both sides—with Russia and Ukraine—and we are working in full coordination with our greatest ally the United States and our European partners.”