Turkish foreign minister, NATO chief discuss Ukraine, Gaza in phone talk

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on June 8, during which the two officials discussed ongoing efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine as well as the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed.

According to the ministry sources, the call also included a review of preparations for the upcoming NATO summit, scheduled to take place on June 24–25 in The Hague, Netherlands, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The high-level diplomatic engagement comes amid a critical juncture for the Alliance, as it navigates complex geopolitical challenges ranging from Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Türkiye, a longstanding NATO member, has played a balancing role in regional diplomacy, positioning itself as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while also voicing strong concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

By Vafa Guliyeva