NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the port city of Odesa, described peace talks between Russia and Ukraine as challenging and difficult, citing the intensity of violence in the region.

Rutte also emphasized the full support of NATO members for President Trump’s efforts to achieve peace.

Following the meeting, in a joint press conference with the Ukrainian president, the NATO Secretary General stressed the difficulty of the talks given the severe violence, stating: "These discussions are not easy, not least in the wake of this horrific violence. But we all support President Trump's push for peace. Other Allies, including through efforts led by France and the United Kingdom, are ready, willing, and able to shoulder more responsibility in helping to secure peace when the time comes."

Volodymyr Zelensky stated in the meeting that representatives from Ukraine, the UK, France, and Turkey are set to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday this week (April 16 and 17) in Turkey to discuss Black Sea security.

The Ukrainian president added: "There are other talks in the world. (E.g.) A meeting of the military on the issue of security in the Black Sea is happening in Turkey. This concerns primarily the coalition of the willing, the corresponding steps. As we said, there are already enough such meetings. Various formats of the 'coalition of the willing and able' are being discussed."

He further noted the importance of active involvement by the UK, France, and other NATO member countries in forming a security group in Ukraine.

President Zelensky also referred to ongoing discussions with the United States regarding minerals, saying the process has been positive and that more meetings on this topic have been held.