Ukraine pauses strikes on Russian refineries after Trump pressure

Ukraine has temporarily halted its strikes on Russian oil refineries following pressure from US President Donald Trump, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources familiar with the operations. Ukrainian long-range strike units were told in mid-October to pause the campaign once missions already in motion were completed, with the unofficial halt expected to last until after the US midterm elections and potentially deeper into November. The report, which Reuters could not immediately verify, comes as Trump grows increasingly frustrated over Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure amid record-high diesel prices. Russia has meanwhile intensified attacks on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure. The pause coincides with renewed efforts to revive US-backed peace talks, while Trump has announced a deal to buy diesel from Moscow and waive sanctions, after Ukraine refused to halt strikes it called its only viable response to Russian bombardment.