Ukraine Pauses Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries After Pressure from Trump, Report Says

Ukraine’s military has paused strikes on Russian oil refineries following weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the operations.

Ukrainian units conducting long-range strikes were told in mid-October that the campaign against refineries was effectively on hold once missions already underway were completed. The unofficial pause is expected to continue until after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections and potentially deeper into November. Ukraine’s most recent reported strike on Russian oil infrastructure occurred around October 20. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that his forces “do not have an order” to avoid refineries, according to the Journal.

The pause follows Trump’s public criticism of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities, which he has linked to elevated diesel prices affecting American farmers and consumers. The administration has arranged purchases of Russian diesel and waived certain sanctions under the Graham Act. U.S. envoy Jared Kushner pressed Ukrainian officials for a 30-day halt as a gesture during mediation efforts, according to the reporting. Russia has continued and, in some accounts, intensified strikes on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure.

Neither Kyiv nor Washington has publicly announced the pause. The development comes amid renewed U.S. efforts to advance peace talks. Earlier this month Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president,” criticizing Zelenskyy over the refinery strikes.