Rutte: "Türkiye is a suitable platform for achieving progress in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine"

Turkey is a suitable platform for bringing the talks between Russia and Ukraine to a “successful conclusion,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

“Turkey has good relations with all relevant partners and is seen as a serious venue for negotiations,” he said ahead of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Turkey, adding that there are politicians in Ankara who will help bring these talks to a successful conclusion. “So Turkey has an important role to play here,” the NATO Secretary General said.

Rutte also expressed “cautious optimism” about the possible success of the talks. “Let’s see what happens in the coming days. I remain cautiously optimistic that if Russia also wants to, … then some progress is possible in the next few weeks,” he said.

Recall that the Russian and Ukrainian delegations will meet in Istanbul today in the afternoon.