Saudi Arabia’s hosting of top American, Russian and Ukrainian officials for high-stakes meetings underlines the kingdom’s aspirations to become a global actor capable of successfully mediating international conflicts.

Ukrainian and U.S. officials began their talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to find a path towards ending the war with Russia, hours after Kyiv's forces launched their largest drone attack on Moscow to date.

Two senior Ukrainian officials say a Kyiv delegation that will meet with America’s top diplomat in Saudi Arabia will propose a ceasefire with Russia covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes.