Ukraine denies agreeing to halt strikes on Russian refineries

Ukraine has never agreed to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, Ukrainian officials told The Kyiv Independent, refuting earlier Western media reports of a pause in attacks. The Trump administration, through envoy Jared Kushner, requested a 30-day moratorium on refinery strikes, but Kyiv never issued such an order. Ukraine will continue targeting Russian oil infrastructure without publicly claiming responsibility to avoid direct conflict with the White House. A brief pause occurred after Trump's October 11 "energy truce" declaration, lasting 72 hours until Russia struck Kharkiv's thermal plant. A White House source said Trump's rhetoric was for domestic audiences, as the CIA continues providing targeting intelligence to Ukraine.