US reportedly warned Ukraine over refinery strikes at Miami talks
In short
Japanese outlets citing the Financial Times reported that US representatives warned Ukraine on October 9 that intelligence sharing could end unless it stopped attacking Russian refineries. The warning was reportedly delivered at talks in Miami, and Ukraine objected and decided to skip the next day's negotiations.
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US representatives warned Ukraine at October 9 talks that intelligence sharing could be cut off unless it stopped attacks on Russian refineries, according to Japanese outlets citing the Financial Times. Tokyo Shimbun and Nikkei said the British newspaper reported the warning on October 10, citing several people familiar with the discussions. The accounts said Ukraine opposed the demand. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The meeting was held in Miami, Florida. According to the Financial Times account relayed by the outlets, US envoy Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Kushner warned of a possible end to intelligence sharing. Ukrainian representatives reportedly decided to return home without holding negotiations scheduled with the US side for October 10. Mainichi, citing the Kyiv Independent, also reported a US demand to halt refinery attacks at the meeting. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Nikkei reported that Witkoff said in an October 9 post on X that the discussions covered the US peace proposal to end fighting between Russia and Ukraine and short-term easing of tensions before winter. He said they helped identify areas for consideration in future US discussions with Russia. Nikkei said delegations from NATO and the European Commission also attended the talks. [ 4 ]
Trump publicly criticised attacks on Russian refineries on October 10, according to TBS NEWS DIG and an AFP report carried by Yahoo! News Japan. TBS reported that he said the strikes would lead to diesel shortages and expressed dissatisfaction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both accounts said Trump argued that Ukraine needed a new president. TBS also relayed a TASS report, attributed to sources, that Witkoff and Kushner might visit Moscow within two weeks. [ 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The reported warning links US intelligence sharing to Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries. Trump said the strikes could worsen fuel shortages, while the reports describe Ukrainian objections to the demand.
Key facts
- The Financial Times reported on October 10 that US officials delivered the warning at October 9 talks, according to Japanese outlets. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The talks took place in Miami, Florida. [ 1 , 4 , 6 ]
- The reported warning was conveyed by US envoy Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Kushner. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Ukraine reportedly objected and decided to return home without the October 10 talks. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump publicly criticised refinery attacks on October 10, saying they could cause diesel shortages. [ 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The intelligence-sharing warning remains attributed to reporting by the Financial Times. The documents relay its account from people familiar with the talks; they do not provide direct confirmation of the warning from either government.
- Trump publicly called for Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries. Reported by a single source so far