Ukraine Pauses Strikes on Russian Refineries Under US Pressure Ahead of Midterms – WSJ

Ukraine has suspended strikes on Russian oil refineries following weeks of pressure from US President Donald Trump, as Washington seeks to contain rising fuel prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The unofficial pause began in mid-October and could continue beyond the US elections into November, the newspaper reported Thursday, Oct. 29, citing people familiar with Ukrainian military operations.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Ukrainian units conducting long-range strikes were instructed to suspend new missions against Russian refineries after completing operations already underway. The decision came amid mounting tensions between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Washington increasingly frustrated by Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s energy sector as diesel prices reached record highs. The reported suspension has not been independently confirmed. Trump sought a 30-day halt to refinery strikes According to the WSJ, Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner pressed Ukrainian officials to halt refinery attacks for 30 days as a gesture of appreciation for Washington’s diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war. Kyiv sought assurances that Russia would reciprocate by suspending its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure or that Washington would provide additional Patriot air defense missiles. Neither proposal produced a breakthrough, the report said. European allies also encouraged Ukraine to exercise restraint, amid concerns about rising fuel costs and further deterioration in relations between Kyiv and the White House. Other Topics of Interest Oleshky Aid Convoy Ready to Depart as Demining Is Completed Residents wishing to leave Oleshky will be able to do so until 2 p.m local time on Friday, before aid distribution formally begins at 2:30 p.m. The pressure intensified after Trump publicly criticized Zelensky earlier this month, calling for Ukraine to replace its president and demanding an end to strikes on Russian oil facilities. “He better damn well stop,” Trump said on Oct. 10, referring to Ukraine’s refinery attacks, according to an earlier WSJ report. The remarks came as Trump announced an arrangement to increase purchases of Russian diesel and ease sanctions affecting Moscow. The developments raised concerns in Kyiv that Washington was reducing economic pressure on Russia while demanding restraint from Ukraine. Russia continues striking Ukrainian cities and energy facilities The reported pause comes as Moscow continues its campaign of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure, raising fears of widespread power and heating disruptions ahead of winter. Russian forces launched another wave of attacks on Thursday, Oct. 29, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure across several Ukrainian cities. In Dnipro, a Russian drone struck a crowded railway platform, killing at least 14 people. Additional attacks struck Chernihiv and Kremenchuk, while a late-night ballistic missile strike on Kyiv killed at least one person. The continued bombardment highlights the absence of a reciprocal arrangement under which Russia would halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for Kyiv suspending strikes on Russian refineries. Ukraine has repeatedly defended its long-range drone campaign as a means of disrupting Russia’s war economy and responding to Moscow’s attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range drones have enabled strikes deep inside Russian territory, targeting refineries and other energy facilities far from the front lines. The campaign has become an important tool for Kyiv to impose economic and logistical costs on Russia despite its smaller military and limited access to Western long-range weapons. Ukraine’s dependence on US support complicates its position The Journal reported that Ukraine’s reliance on American military assistance, intelligence-sharing and communications technology has made Kyiv vulnerable to pressure from Washington. The deterioration in relations coincided with restrictions on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which temporarily disrupted some Ukrainian drone operations and air defense capabilities before service was restored. Ukraine also depends on US-supplied Patriot air defense systems and interceptors to protect cities and critical infrastructure against Russian ballistic missiles. According to the Journal, the dispute has further weakened Ukrainian confidence in Washington’s commitment to supporting Kyiv. Midterm elections and US peace efforts The timing of the reported suspension coincides with the final days before the Nov. 3 US midterm elections, when high fuel prices have become a sensitive domestic political issue for the Trump administration. Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for rising diesel prices, although energy analysts point to the war in Iran and broader disruptions to global oil markets as the main drivers of the surge. The Wall Street Journal reported that the suspension could last beyond the elections. The reported pause raises questions about why Ukraine is being pressed to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities while Moscow faces no comparable pressure to stop its relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.