Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at his request, the Turkish Communications Directorate announced.

According to Anadolu Agency, the leaders discussed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with regional and global matters. Erdogan noted progress in the Istanbul talks aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of achieving positive humanitarian outcomes through the process.

Rutte expressed his perspectives on the ongoing situation in Ukraine ahead of the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Erdogan conveyed that Trkiye is closely monitoring the upcoming meeting. The Trump-Putin summit, scheduled for Friday at 11.30 am local time (1930GMT) in Alaska, marks the first encounter between sitting US and Russian presidents since the onset of the Moscow-Kyiv war, which is now nearing its three and a half year mark.