Can machine learning be used to pass the Turing test? Can we say that the Turing test aims to develop machines or methods to reach human-level performance in all cognitive tasks and that machine learning is one of these methods that can pass the Turing test?
Essentially yes.

The Turing Test is essentially a benchmark or challenge problem. It is a task that AI researchers would like to be able to solve.

Machine learning is a technique. It is a tool developed by AI researchers to solve various problems. Some kinds of machine learning are applicable to the Turing Test, but others are not. Machine learning is also applicable to a wide range of other problems.