Ukraine temporarily halts strikes on Russian oil refineries after pressure from Trump - report

Jerusalem Post/World NewsThe unofficial pause is expected to last until after the US midterm elections and potentially deeper into November, it added.Follow us on GooglePlumes of smoke rise from fires (centre) at an oil refinery following what the authorities say is a Ukrainian drone strike in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Moscow, Russia, September, 20, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)OCTOBER 30, 2026 03:05Updated: OCTOBER 30, 2026 03:06Ukraine's military has paused its strikes on Russian oil refineries after pressure from US President Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the operations.Ukrainian units carrying out long-range strikes were told in mid-October that the campaign against refineries was effectively on hold once missions already in motion were completed, the Wall Street Journal reported.The unofficial pause is expected to last until after the US midterm elections and potentially deeper into November, it added. Russia has meanwhile stepped up attacks on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure.Reuters could not immediately verify the report.Smoke columns rise after strikes in an oil refinery in Moscow, Russia, September 20, 2026, in this screengrab from a video obtained from social media. (credit: Social Media/via REUTERS)Trump growing 'increasingly frustrated' over Ukraine's strikes on Russian energyThe news of a pause comes amid renewed efforts to revive US-backed peace talks to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.Relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have taken a sharp downward turn in recent weeks, with Trump growing increasingly frustrated over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as diesel prices hit record highs.Ukraine had refused to halt the strikes, saying its long-range drone campaign is its only viable response to years of Russian bombardment. That prompted Trump to announce a deal to buy diesel from Moscow and waive sanctions on Moscow authorized by a bill he signed into law in September.Follow us on Google