Trump Team Urged Zelensky to Spare Russian Oil Refineries

Representatives of President Trump's team, including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and JD Vance, asked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky not to attack Russian oil refineries, according to the New York Times. The issue was raised repeatedly over recent months. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine never actually imposed a moratorium on strikes against Russian energy facilities, noting attacks continued in recent days. On October 14, Ukrainian drones hit two refineries in Saratov and Ryazan regions. Trump had urged Zelensky to stop the strikes because they affect global diesel prices. Zelensky later said he lifted the ban on such attacks despite U.S. appeals, while Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated Ukraine showed no readiness for an energy truce.