Trump denies limiting Ukraine access to Starlink network
US President Donald Trump has denied ordering restrictions on Ukraine's access to Starshield, the military-grade sister network of SpaceX's Starlink. On Tuesday night, a 100mph (160km/h) speed cap severed connectivity for Ukrainian drones and weapons exceeding that velocity. The slowdown severely hampered Kyiv's defenses during deadly Russian missile and drone strikes that targeted communications and energy sites, leaving roughly 600,000 people without power.
While Trump stated neither he nor Elon Musk was responsible, Musk noted Starshield is Pentagon-managed, even as Reuters reported the directive came directly from the White House. The disruption prompted a bipartisan group of US senators to call for an official investigation. It also follows mounting friction over a controversial US-Russia diesel deal and Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which resumed after Trump announced an energy infrastructure ceasefire.
At an EU summit in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said service had yet to be fully restored and projected Ukraine's defense will cost €155bn next year, urging at least €70bn in EU aid. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged that European partners would not abandon Kyiv amid growing ambiguities over American backing, noting efforts to support Ukraine with satellite and early warning systems.
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