Turkey is a suitable platform for Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate a ‘successful conclusion’, says Mark Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Turkey is a suitable platform for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to reach a “successful conclusion.”

“Turkey has good relations with all relevant partners and is seen as a serious venue for negotiations,” Rutte said before an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Turkey. He added that Ankara has political figures who can help bring these negotiations to a successful end. “Thus, Turkey is important in this regard,” NATO’s secretary general stated.

Rutte also expressed “cautious optimism” about the potential success of the negotiations. “We need to see what happens in the coming days. I continue to hold cautious optimism that if Russia also wishes to do so… there could be some progress in the next few weeks,” he noted.

To remind, negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations are scheduled to take place today in Istanbul.