Hopes for ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine are diminishing, but Turkey will continue its efforts in this direction, Ankara's top diplomat Mevlut Cavusoglu assured. However, he rejected claims of a Turkish initiative to establish a dialogue between Russia and the West and pointed out that Turkey has previously organised meetings at the insistence of the presidents of Russia or Ukraine.

He noted that during the last European summit in Prague Ankara had tried to clarify the benefits for Turkey of contacts with both sides in the conflict. Cavusoglu also said it was important to analyze Europe's readiness, including that of Western European countries, to import gas through the hub in Turkey proposed by Russia. Since the northern pipelines are no longer a reliable route, European countries that want to buy gas from Russia can do so via pipelines through Turkey, the Turkish foreign minister said.

Meanwhile, a meeting of officials from 33 countries was held to discuss new sanctions against Russia. Representatives from the EU, the United States, Canada and South Korea discussed additional steps planned to target Russia's military-industrial complex and the implications of several raft of sanctions imposed by Washington and its partners over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 

The new U.S. military aid to Ukraine includes more than 200 Humvee armored vehicles, ammunition for HIMARS missile launchers, anti-tank systems and artillery shells. Ammunition and vehicles will be provided, but no new weapons or air defense systems. The package totals $725 million.