Ukraine pauses strikes on Russian refineries after pressure from Trump

Ukraine has suspended its strikes on Russian oil refineries following pressure from US President Donald Trump, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The unofficial halt is anticipated to persist until post the US midterm elections, possibly extending into November. This decision was communicated to Ukrainian military units executing long-range strikes in mid-October, once all ongoing missions were concluded, the Journal reported.

The respite is projected to last until after the US midterm elections and potentially deeper into November. Russia has concurrently intensified attacks on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure. Verification of the report by Reuters was not immediately achievable. The news of this pause coincides with renewed endeavors to revive US-backed peace negotiations aimed at concluding Europe's most devastating conflict since World War Two.

The strain between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has worsened in recent weeks, exacerbated by Trump's growing irritation over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as diesel prices reached unprecedented peaks. Ukraine had declined to cease the strikes, asserting that its long-range drone campaign is its sole effective response to years of Russian bombardment.

This stance prompted Trump to announce an arrangement to purchase diesel from Moscow and waive sanctions on Moscow, authorized by a legislation he signed into law in September.