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

Talks between Russia and the US, aimed at mending relations between the two nations and addressing the conflict in Ukraine, began in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Tuesday, according to Russian media.

To make matters worse, Mr Trump subsequently appeared to accept Russia’s propaganda narrative about Ukraine. Read more at straitstimes.com.