President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials that Washington hopes will deliver substantial progress towards ending Russia's war with Ukraine.

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.

Ukraine ties strained after a tense Oval Office meeting, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is emerging as a key power broker. As Ukrainian officials meet U.S.counterparts in Jeddah for crucial peace talks,