U.S. negotiators pressed Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries during October 9 talks, the Kyiv Independent reported, citing unnamed Ukrainian officials involved in or close to the discussions.
Ukraine had not agreed to stop its attacks without a Russian halt to strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, one senior official told the newspaper.
The talks were scheduled for October 9–10 to discuss an energy ceasefire and a separate agreement to halt attacks in the Black Sea. During the meetings, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told the Ukrainians that President Donald Trump was preparing to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
