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.

March 11, a new round of high-level US-Ukraine negotiations will take place in Saudi Arabia. Previously, the kingdom has also hosted delegations from the US and Russia. RBC-Ukraine explains why Saudi Arabia has become the platform for high-level talks involving the US,

The prince wants Saudi Arabia to be a middleman in peace talks. Ukraine’s leader said they’d discussed “steps and conditions needed to end the war.”