Turkish President, NATO Chief Meet in Ankara to Discuss Ukraine War, Mideast Crisis

The Turkish leader also thanked Rutte for his messages of solidarity after last month’s terror attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in the capital Ankara.

Photo: Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and steps that can be taken to end the ongoing massacre in Palestine, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

During their meeting in the capital Ankara, the two leaders also discussed joint steps to be taken in the fight against terrorism, Türkiye hosting the 2026 NATO summit, NATO allies' solidarity with Ankara in supplying defense industry equipment, and Türkiye’s contributions as a NATO ally, a directorate statement said, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.

The Turkish leader also thanked Rutte for his messages of solidarity after last month’s terror attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in the capital Ankara.

Rutte, for his part, said on X that they discussed "the threat of terrorism, the war in Ukraine, and the crisis in the Middle East."

"In an increasingly unpredictable world, Türkiye makes invaluable contributions to NATO," he added.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and top presidential advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic also attended the meeting at the Presidential Complex, which marked Rutte’s first visit to Türkiye since taking the post last month.