U.S. negotiators, in discussions with Kyiv, have brought up the potential consequence of cutting off Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system while pressing for access to Ukraine's critical minerals, as reported by three sources familiar with the situation. Ukraine's reliance on SpaceX-owned Starlink for vital internet connectivity, particularly for its military in the midst of ongoing conflict, has been a key point in talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials following President Zelenskiy's initial rejection of a proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
During recent meetings between the U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and President Zelenskiy, it was reiterated that Ukraine could face a service shutdown if a deal on critical minerals was not reached, according to one of the sources. The source emphasized Ukraine's heavy dependence on Starlink, stating, "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink... would be a massive blow."
Amid ongoing negotiations, President Zelenskiy has resisted demands from the Trump administration for a share of Ukraine's mineral wealth in exchange for wartime aid, citing the absence of specific security assurances from the U.S. Despite tensions, an agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine is being pursued, with optimism expressed by both Trump and Zelenskiy.
The provision of Starlink terminals by Musk to Ukraine, following the country's communication infrastructure losses during Russia's invasion in February 2022, was met with gratitude initially. However, Musk's subsequent criticisms of Ukraine's handling of the conflict have raised concerns. Notably, the importance of Starlink for Ukraine's military capabilities, particularly in drone operations, has been underscored by experts.
As discussions unfold, the response from the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Defense remains pending, along with comments from SpaceX, the operator of Starlink. Notably, previous proposals by Ukraine to allow investment in its critical minerals as part of a strategic plan to leverage bargaining power have faced opposition, particularly regarding the proposed division of mineral resources with the U.S.
Tensions between the leaders persist, with Zelenskiy rejecting detailed proposals regarding mineral resources and Trump criticizing him in response. The rift deepened after Trump accused Zelenskiy of being authoritarian, prompting Zelenskiy to retaliate by accusing Trump of being misinformed about the war's origins.