NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, noting Ankara's strong support for Kyiv.

As reported by the alliance's headquarters on Monday, the discussion took place in Ankara during Rutte's one-day visit to Turkey on Monday.

"The Secretary General and President Erdogan addressed Russia's war in Ukraine. Mr. Rutte commended Türkiye for its firm support of Ukraine’s defence industry with the ammunition, artillery and aid it needs, also by playing a key role in initiatives like the Black Sea Grain Deal and other diplomatic efforts," the statement reads.

The Secretary General also noted Turkey's commitment to the alliance's collective security, stressing that Turkey has the second-largest army in NATO and spends more than 2% of its GDP on defense.

Rutte also met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, addressing a range of issues during the meetings, including Turkey's contribution to NATO security, defense industrial cooperation, the situation in the Middle East, terrorism, and Allied support for Ukraine.