There is an opportunity in the next two weeks to "improve the situation in Ukraine," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, commenting on the upcoming talks in Istanbul. He writes about this Anadolu.
"I think that this week, but also in the next 10 days, two weeks, there is an opportunity to really improve the situation in Ukraine. Under the leadership, of course, of President Zelensky, but also under the great influence of the American government. And Turkey plays a big role here," — said Rutte.
Rutte reiterated that during the NATO summit in Washington it was stated that "Ukraine's path to NATO membership is irreversible," adding, however, that the Alliance "never promised Ukraine or anyone else that NATO membership would be on the negotiating table as part of a peace agreement."
He also stressed the importance of separating Ukraine's desire for permanent peace from its aspirations for NATO membership, noting that if other European countries express their desire to join NATO, that decision will depend on Turkey and the other 31 member states.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Turkey on May 15.
As previously reported, negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are to be held in Turkey on May 15, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he expects the personal presence of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian delegation that traveled to Istanbul will include the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Diplomatic Advisor to the Head of State Ihor Zhovkva, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.
The Russian side at the talks will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the Russian president. His team will include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov.
At the same time, it became known that US President Donald Trump will not participate in the negotiations, a US official told Reuters.
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