Washington asked Kiev six times to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries after U. S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky discussed the issue, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Citing a source, the newspaper reported that Ukrainian officials were prepared to support an energy ceasefire with Moscow. After Russia rejected the proposal, however, Kiev continued attacks on energy facilities.
The report also said Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spent six hours in talks in Kiev, pressing Ukraine and European countries to prepare a new package of proposals for Russia aimed at ending the conflict.
On the same day, Trump held a roughly 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. After the conversation, the U.S. president announced an agreement involving Russian diesel fuel.
According to the journalists, Trump remains committed to ending the conflict and is prepared to negotiate with both Moscow and Kiev in pursuit of a peace agreement.
A source also said the proposal to buy Russian diesel was designed to serve two purposes at once: lower gasoline prices in the United States and create an economic incentive for Russia to return to negotiations.