NATO Chief Hails Turkey as Key Ally for Ukraine

(MENAFN) On Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte referred to Turkey as a “staunch and capable ally” following his discussions with Turkish Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, the nation’s capital.

Rutte’s remarks highlighted the strategic importance of Turkey within the military alliance.

Rutte shared via a post on X that their dialogue also touched upon the situation in Ukraine. He expressed optimism, noting that “there is a real window of opportunity for progress towards peace.”

This conversation occurred just before the upcoming informal NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, set for May 14-15 in Antalya, a well-known coastal city in southern Turkey.

The NATO head also emphasized the value of meeting with Erdogan ahead of the NATO Summit scheduled for next month.

He stated that their discussions are part of the broader effort “to keep the Alliance strong,” underlining the importance of coordination among member states.

Additionally, Leader Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to the alliance during the meeting.

As evidence of this dedication, he informed Rutte that Turkey will once again assume command of the NATO Kosovo Force, according to a statement from Turkey’s Communications Directorate.

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