Antalya: The chief of NATO on Thursday praised Trkiye's unique diplomatic leverage in Thursday's Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul, and urged unity within the alliance amid lingering disputes. "Trkiye plays a big role here because Trkiye has good relations with all relevant partners and is seen as a serious venue," Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters while arriving for a gathering of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, southern Trkiye.
According to Anadolu Agency, while Ukraine has signaled readiness, Rutte emphasized that Trkiye's power to convene both sides and credibility make it central to any future talks. "You have the people -- your foreign minister, your president -- to help to bring these talks to a good end," he said. Ukraine, arms cooperation, and industrial capacity are expected to top the agenda at the Antalya foreign ministers meeting. Yet Rutte warned that progress depends on Moscow, saying: "That can only happen if the Russians show up with a relevant delegation."
Rutte expressed cautious optimism about possible breakthroughs in peace efforts. "Making sure that we collectively will do what it takes to make sure that Ukraine can prevail and that we can collectively help Ukraine to bring this war to a lasting and durable peace." He highlighted that Ukraine is ready to begin negotiations and credited US President Donald Trump for helping to break the impasse. "I'm sure that we all understand that the ball is in their court. Ukraine is wanting to start the negotiations as soon as possible. And, as I said before, it is thanks to the Americans and President Trump that the deadlock has been broken." He urged Russia to take meaningful steps: "It's now up to the Russians to make sure they take the next steps necessary."
On the issue of Germany withholding the delivery of Eurofighters to Trkiye, Rutte addressed the broader implications for alliance unity: "Generally speaking, we as NATO encourage allies not to have restrictions on arms sales between allies." While declining to comment directly on the German decision, he referred to recent statements by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, suggesting that policy shifts might be under consideration. Rutte said that no announcement has yet been made about the participation of partners outside the alliance in the NATO summit.
Rutte praised Trkiye's growing defense industrial base and emphasized the importance of removing trade barriers among NATO members. "Trkiye has a very impressive defense industrial base. It's already closely working in conjunction with companies all over Europe and in the United States and Canada." "There is so much more money floating around in the next 10 years when it comes to defense industrial production. ... When it comes to the defense dividend, all countries can have their positive outcomes from this. But then let's have no barriers," he added.
Rutte concluded by reiterating his trust in the current US role in steering the Russia-Ukraine peace talks: "I'm not going to give any advice to the Americans. Why not? Because it was President Trump who broke the deadlock. I have full confidence in how he and his team are steering this."