U.S. negotiators have reportedly threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink if an agreement on minerals cannot be reached.
This is according to "three sources familiar with the matter" who spoke to Reuters. Newsweek has contacted Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SpaceX, which owns Starlink, via email, for comment.
Why It Matters
Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to Kyiv and its military. There are around 42,000 Starlink terminals in operation across hospitals, businesses and the military in Ukraine, according to The Kyiv Independent.
"Losing Starlink would be a game changer," Melinda Haring, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, told Reuters.
The Context
Tensions exist between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Most recently, Zelensky rejected a proposal made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that would give American companies 50 percent ownership of Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits as a way to pay the country back for its military aid.
Zelensky declined to sign the deal, arguing that it was too focused on U.S. interests and lacked provisions that would help deter future Russian aggression, The Associated Press reported.
"I didn't let the ministers sign a relevant agreement because in my view it is not ready to protect us, our interest," Zelensky said at the Munich Security Conference.
On top of this, the U.S. and Russia have held peace talks without Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, Zelensky has said Trump is influenced by Russian disinformation and Trump has called Zelensky a "dictator without elections."
What To Know
Ukraine's access to Starlink has been brought up in discussions at least twice, according to Reuters.
The first time was after Zelensky turned down a proposal from Bessent and the second time was on Thursday, during a meeting with the U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, sources said.
Reuters said Kyiv was told it faced an imminent shut-off from Starlink if it did not reach a deal on minerals.
Elon Musk rushed thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace communications services destroyed by Russia after its 2022 invasion. The billionaire later curtailed access as he became more critical of Kyiv's handling of the war.
What People Are Saying
A Reuters source said: "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink…would be a massive blow."
Mike Waltz, White House national security adviser, said during a previous press conference: "There needs to be a deep appreciation for what the American people and the American taxpayer, what President Trump did in his first term and what we've done since."
On Thursday Zelensky posted on X: "A day of intense international work. My meeting with General Kellogg was one that restores hope, and we need strong agreements with the U.S.—agreements that will truly work. I have instructed my team to work quickly and very sensibly."
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, said on X: "A long and intense day with the senior leadership of Ukraine. Extensive and positive discussions with @ZelenskyyUa, the embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war and his talented national security team."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the U.S. and Ukraine will come to an agreement on minerals access.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington, D.C., on separate days next week, as NATO ponders how to deal with the prospect of U.S.-Russia peace negotiations that exclude Ukraine and its European allies.
English (US) ·