Washington expresses optimism with latest round of negotiations beginning in Saudi Arabia a day after Kyiv said it had ‘constructive’ US talks

• See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage

Any deal in Riyadh comes after developments last week when Vladimir Putin agreed to Donald Trump’s proposal for a 30-day halt on attacks to energy infrastructure. The ceasefire, however, was cast into doubt soon after, with both sides reporting continued strikes.

In the talks, Washington has been eyeing a Black Sea ceasefire deal, a major aim of Russia, before securing a wider agreement.