Ukraine pauses Russian oil refinery strikes after Trump pressure: Report

Ukraine has reportedly paused attacks on Russian oil refineries after pressure from Donald Trump. The unofficial halt links US fuel-price concerns with the November 3 midterm elections.Ukraine pauses strikes on Russian oil refineries following pressure from the US President.Ukraine has temporarily suspended attacks on Russian oil refineries following pressure from US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the military operations.The unofficial halt began early last week and is expected to remain in place until after the November 3 US midterm elections. The pause could extend further into November, the newspaper reported.The reported move comes as Trump has increasingly pressed Kyiv to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure, arguing that such strikes are contributing to higher fuel prices. With Republicans facing a crucial electoral test in November, the administration has also been seeking ways to ease pressure on American consumers over rising energy costs.US MIDTERM ELECTIONS ADD TO PRESSURE OVER FUEL PRICESThe November 3 midterm elections will determine control of both chambers of the US Congress, with Republicans seeking to retain their majorities. Rising fuel costs and inflation have emerged as important economic concerns for voters, putting additional pressure on the Trump administration to address prices. Diesel is particularly significant because it powers much of the country's freight, agricultural and transport sectors. Higher diesel costs can feed into the prices of food and other goods, making fuel inflation a wider concern for households and businesses.Trump has blamed Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil facilities for contributing to the rise in fuel prices and has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call off the strikes.TRUMP MOVES TO BRING RUSSIAN DIESEL BACK TO MARKETS Trump's push to contain fuel costs has coincided with his announcement of an arrangement for Russia to resume diesel supplies to the US and international markets.On October 9, Trump said Moscow had agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel, with further shipments expected. His administration also temporarily eased sanctions on Russian fuel exports to facilitate the arrangement.The move drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who described it as a "weak decision on the part of strong partners". He warned that allowing Russia to earn additional revenue from energy exports would help fund its war against Ukraine.Some US lawmakers also criticised the decision, arguing that Washington should increase economic pressure on Moscow rather than ease restrictions on its energy exports.The arrangement has highlighted the competing priorities facing the Trump administration: bringing down domestic fuel costs while maintaining pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.UKRAINE'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST RUSSIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTUREUkraine has increasingly relied on long-range drones to strike oil refineries, fuel depots and other energy facilities deep inside Russia. Kyiv views the campaign as a way to disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian military, damage the country's energy industry and reduce revenue that helps finance the war.The attacks have hit several major Russian refineries, in some cases forcing temporary shutdowns or reducing processing capacity. Moscow has repeatedly condemned the strikes, while continuing its own attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.The reported suspension does not amount to a publicly announced or formal agreement to stop targeting Russian energy facilities. Ukraine has previously indicated that any halt to such attacks should be reciprocal, with Russia also stopping strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.- Ends