A top Ukrainian official said his country was "ready to go" and determined to reach a peace deal with Russia as U.S.-Ukraine talks kicked off in Jeddah.

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.

The last time Ukraine signed a peace accord with Russia, 10 years ago, it brought only sporadic violence, mounting distrust, and eventually full-scale war. Here’s what we can learn from that history.

Russia President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle on Thursday with the US proposal for a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine. President Donald Trump prepared to host NATO secretary general Mark Rutte amid deep concerns by members of the 32-member transatlantic military alliance that Trump’s apparent pivot toward Russia makes him untrustworthy.

Trump said U.S. representatives are "going to Russia right now as we speak” to help broker a 30-day ceasefire, a proposal that the Ukrainians agreed to during peace talks in Saudi Arabia this week.