peacemaker

Moscow had used its announcement of a 30-hour pause in the fighting to send a signal to the White House: that in this war Russia is the peacemaker and Kyiv the aggressor.

Ramaphosa sees Zelensky's visit as an attempt to boost his credentials as a peacemaker, saying their talks will focus on efforts to find "a path to peace".

Ukraine believes it can put pressure on Russia, painting it as a reluctant peacemaker, playing for time.

The US president, praised by his supporters as "the world's best peacemaker", could again shape the parameters of war or peace.

Middle East peacemakers, even when they do not ultimately succeed, have a strong track record of winning it.