Kremlin says Russia will monitor NATO summit outcome

The Kremlin said Tuesday that Russia will closely monitor the outcome of the NATO summit in Turkey. Kremlin officials described a series of statements about Russia that preceded the event. NATO leaders are gathering in Ankara for meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The sessions occur amid discussions on defense spending and recent transatlantic issues. "This is an event that is of great interest, including to us. Of course, we will be monitoring all the news and information coming out of Ankara," a Kremlin spokesman told journalists.

The spokesman added that many statements about Russia had been made ahead of the summit. "To our regret, these were not statements about constructive engagement and dialogue, but rather statements of a confrontational nature," he said. On Monday, U.S.

The Kremlin spokesman said Russia hoped U.S. efforts to steer the situation onto a peaceful track would succeed. Officials noted that Russia remains open to such efforts.