Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war along with regional and global issues, in a phone call on Thursday.

According to Qatar News Agency, a Turkish Presidency statement said that Erdogan affirmed his country is closely following the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and that the Istanbul negotiations, initiated by Turkiye to achieve a permanent ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, have made progress.

He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that this process leads to positive developments on humanitarian issues as well. President Trump had announced a few days ago that he would meet with President Putin in the U.S. state of Alaska on Friday.