NATO is testing its ability to rapidly deploy across eastern Europe — without direct U.S. assistance — as Washington shifts its approach toward European defense and the war in Ukraine.

However, the US factor plays a significant role in shaping these opinions,” he said, adding that that Erdogan supports Ukraine's future membership in the alliance. “If (Ukraine's accession to) NATO is not an option,

Russia on Tuesday opposed the presence of troops from North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO countries in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the idea that NATO member forces could act as peacekeepers under any ceasefire agreement,