US envoys press Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries
US negotiators warned Ukraine that continued refinery attacks could strain intelligence support, according to reporting on the Miami talks.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner pressed Ukrainian negotiators in Miami to stop long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and warned that continued attacks could affect US intelligence support, according to Kyiv Post citing Axios.
A US official disputed that the message amounted to an explicit ultimatum, but confirmed that Washington expected Ukraine to take US interests into account because it receives American ammunition and intelligence. The official argued that refinery attacks also affect fuel prices faced by US consumers.
Kyiv Post reported that the US message followed repeated requests from Washington for Ukraine to stop striking Russian refining facilities. The same report said the dispute had become part of the broader negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Miami.
Ukraine has proposed a mutual energy ceasefire under which it would stop attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow stopped missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's electricity grid and heating infrastructure, according to the report. President Donald Trump instead pressed Kyiv for a unilateral halt to refinery strikes, the supplied material said.
The dispute became linked to Trump's separate agreement with Russia for diesel supplies to US and international markets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the sanctions waiver connected to that agreement as unfair, Kyiv Post reported.
The Miami talks also covered post-war security guarantees involving the United States, Europe and NATO, as well as possible territorial arrangements, according to Axios reporting cited by Kyiv Post. The supplied material said these issues formed part of a wider settlement framework rather than a separate negotiation about refinery strikes.
A senior Ukrainian official quoted in the supplied report said Kyiv intended to continue its long-range campaign against Russian refineries. Ukrainian officials have argued for reciprocity, saying any halt to their strikes should be matched by an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The supplied material does not report that US intelligence sharing has actually been suspended. It describes pressure during negotiations and a warning about possible consequences if Kyiv continues its refinery campaign.
What we know
- US envoys pressed Ukraine to stop long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries.
- A US official confirmed Washington expected restraint but disputed that an explicit intelligence cutoff threat was issued.
- Ukraine proposed a mutual halt to energy strikes.
- The US had not suspended intelligence sharing in the supplied material.
Why it matters for Europe
US intelligence has supported Ukraine's defence throughout the war, while deep strikes on Russian refineries are an important part of Kyiv's pressure campaign. Linking the two creates a direct dispute between Washington and Kyiv during negotiations over security guarantees and a possible ceasefire.
Sources
Reported by 6 reports from 6 independent outlets in 6 countries.
- Kyiv Post: US Envoys Pressure Kyiv on Refinery Strikes
- 24 Kanal: У Києві після атаки зупинилося метро, є проблеми зі світлом та водою
- Aftenposten: Deler av Kyiv uten strøm etter russisk angrep
- TGCom24: Kiev,"uomo sfugge per un soffio a un attacco con drone russo vicino a un parco giochi
- Index.hr: Rusi silovito udaraju nakon dogovora s Trumpom. Usred bijela dana napali Kijev
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- Did the US threaten to stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine?
- Kyiv Post reported such a warning, while a US official disputed that it was an explicit threat but confirmed pressure on Kyiv to stop refinery strikes.
- What has Ukraine proposed?
- Ukraine proposed stopping refinery attacks if Russia also halted attacks on Ukrainian electricity and heating infrastructure.
- Has US intelligence support been cut?
- No suspension of intelligence sharing was reported in the supplied material.
This article was written with AI assistance from 5 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.