At the northern end of the Black Sea, Crimea sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, having been at various times in its long history either coveted, conquered or controlled by various powers.
Russia declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting May 8 for the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine called for an immediate, 30-day truce instead.
It was their first face-to-face meeting since they argued in front of cameras in the Oval Office in February — and comes as efforts intensify to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
President Trump has put Steve Witkoff — a friend from New York's real estate world — in charge of delicate talks on the war in Ukraine, Iran's nuclear ambitions and the conflict in Gaza.
Trump calls on Putin to stop attacks as Ukrainian military says Russia launched at least 215 drones and missiles at Ukraine, most aimed at the capital.
Ukraine said it would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire by Moscow, but voiced skepticism after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine starting Saturday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the U.S. would walk away from efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine if progress isn't made within days.
The closed-door talks at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh follow U.S. consultations with a Ukrainian delegation on stabilizing the front lines and implementing a proposed 30-day armistice.
The number of troops that would help enforce a peace in Ukraine is vague. Officials have cited figures of between 10,000 and 30,000 troops as part of what's been termed a "reassurance force."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for about an hour with President Trump on Wednesday, following Trump's call on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Trump has said he wants to broker an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. This was his second call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue.
