NATO should stay out of Ukraine conflict, Erdoğan tells Rutte PHOTO / UPDATED

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Turkish Presidential Complex in Ankara and discussed the situation in Ukraine, as well as pressing global issues.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media outlets.

According to a press release from the Turkish presidential office, Erdoğan emphasised that NATO should not become a party to the Ukrainian conflict.

"Our President, Tayyip Erdoğan, received NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. During the meeting, Türkiye-NATO relations, developments related to the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed," the statement read.

"Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has intensified its efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia by establishing a lasting and just peace. He noted that he had held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He affirmed that Türkiye firmly supports the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire and maintains its stance that NATO should not be part of this war, and that the opportunity for peace must not be missed," the statement said.

By Khagan Isayev