Jens Stoltenberg says that they are addressing concerns that Türkiye has expressed, while Finland says they are committed to ensuring Türkiye's security if its bid to join the transatlantic alliance is successful.
The warning by European Council President Charles Michel comes as last-ditch diplomatic efforts are under way to prevent, what Western powers say, the imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
NATO allies have already rushed to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank with thousands of troops and hardware as fears have soared that Moscow could be about to invade its pro-Western neighbour Ukraine.
NATO chief Stoltenberg welcomed President Erdogan's reconciliatory efforts in Russia-Ukraine tensions as the two discussed the Russian military buildup near Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for diplomacy to end the Ukraine crisis in a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who earlier cast doubt on talks.
The West defends NATO's "open-door policy" towards potential future members, while Moscow is demanding a cast-iron guarantee that the alliance will not expand further towards its territory.
NATO chief Stoltenberg has said there will be severe costs, both economic and political, for Russia if they "once again use military force against Ukraine."
While the job is open from March 1, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will first have to serve out his term at NATO, which runs until the end of September 2022.
The NATO-Russia Council has been an opportunity to keep communication open since the 1990s, but recently both sides expelled their diplomats deepening the rift.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said many Afghans who have cooperated with international forces and could therefore be at risk from the Taliban are still in Afghanistan.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg blamed Afghanistan’s leadership for the swift collapse of the country’s armed forces but says the alliance must also uncover flaws in its military training effort.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg describes security situation as "deeply challenging" with most foreign troops already out of the country where insurgents are pushing forward with their sweeping assault.
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