Erdogan meets NATO chief, reiterates support for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

ANKARA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidency.

Erdogan said that Turkiye is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, noting that he has spoken with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said a statement issued by the presidency.

Erdogan emphasized that Turkiye maintains its neutral stance in the conflict and urged that the opportunity for peace should not be missed.

On Turkiye-NATO relations, Erdogan said that Turkiye places great importance on NATO and will once again assume command of the NATO Kosovo Force. He also called for greater cooperation among NATO allies in the fight against terrorism.

Rutte, for his part, noted that his meeting with Erdogan comes as preparations are underway for next month's NATO summit.

"Turkiye is a staunch and capable ally. We also discussed Ukraine, where there is a real window of opportunity for progress towards peace," he wrote in a post on social media platform X.