July 22, 2022: Russia and Ukraine, with mediation by Turkey and the U.N., agree on a deal to unblock supplies of grain stuck in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, ending a standoff that threatened global food security. The deal expires a year later.

Since his return to the White House in January, Donald Trump has pushed to end the war in Ukraine, including through talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But China – once seen as a potential mediator in the conflict – has been strikingly absent from the negotiations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Russia for a four-day trip to mark Victory Day commemorations. He is also due to hold talks with Vladimir Putin, and the two leaders are expected to sign several cooperation agreements.

The Kremlin said Monday it would not accept "ultimatums" set by European leaders to enter a ceasefire with Ukraine, without responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a personal