Relations between US president Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (left) have taken a sharp downward turn in recent weeks over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. (File pic)KYIV: Ukraine's military has paused its strikes on Russian oil refineries after pressure from US president Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the operations.

Ukrainian units carrying out long-range strikes were told in mid-October that the campaign against refineries was effectively on hold once missions already in motion were completed, the Journal reported.

"The unofficial pause is expected to last until after the US midterm elections and potentially deeper into Nov," it added.