NATO chief urges Russia to play its part in Ukraine talks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, though he emphasized that Moscow holds significant responsibility for the outcome.

Rutte made his remarks upon arriving in Antalya for an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“I’m still cautiously optimistic that if also the Russians are willing to play ball, and not only the Ukrainians are doing this... that you could get to some breakthroughs over the next couple of weeks,” Rutte stated, highlighting the importance of Russia's active involvement in the discussions.

Rutte also took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to the Trump administration, acknowledging its key role in facilitating the talks. Without the involvement of the United States under the president’s leadership, Rutte suggested, the negotiations would likely not have taken place.

To recall, a Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul on May 15 for the first direct peace talks with Ukraine in over three years. However, contrary to the calls of many world leaders, President Vladimir Putin was notably absent from the negotiating team.

Putin was not listed among the members of Moscow's delegation, which was published by the Kremlin, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's challenge for Putin to attend the talks in person.

Instead, Putin sent a lower-ranking team led by a hardline aide who had previously overseen the failed peace negotiations in March 2022, during the early stages of Russia's invasion. The absence of both Putin and key figures such as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov or senior foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov raises questions about the significance of the talks and the potential for any meaningful breakthrough.

By Vafa Guliyeva