Trump says Musk restored Ukraine’s Starlink access, declines to say if they spoke
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A Ukrainian artilleryman sets up a Starlink satellite internet system at a front-line position in Ukraine amid the country’s fight against a Russian invasion.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Trump said Elon Musk had restored Ukraine’s Starlink access, but he would not say if they spoke. The system was reportedly working more normally after reported limits on use.
- Starlink is vital for Ukraine’s battlefield communications and drone operations. Earlier restrictions hurt attack and air defence missions against Russia, though some officials said full speed had not returned.
- The issue comes as Zelensky’s ties with Washington worsen. Trump has pushed Kyiv on attacks on Russian refineries, while Russia and Ukraine kept up missile and drone strikes.
AI generated
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Oct 22 that SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk had restored Ukraine’s Starlink access but declined to comment on whether he had spoken to the billionaire about the matter.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Oct 22 that Trump had called Musk and asked him to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starlink.
“I don’t want to comment on it; whether I called or whether somebody else called doesn’t make any difference, I guess. The bottom line – he put it back,” Trump told reporters when asked if he spoke to Musk.
Trump declined to elaborate.
Ukraine uses Starlink for battlefield communications and drone operations.
Restricting the satellite service hampered its offensive and air-defence drone missions against Russia.
The Starlink system was working more normally on Oct 22, shortly after the Trump-Musk conversation, the WSJ reported earlier, citing US and Ukrainian officials.
Some Ukrainian officials told the newspaper that the system had not been restored to full functionality but was working at higher speeds than under the cap.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier on Oct 22 that Starlink speeds had not been restored for Ukraine, adding that he hoped to speak to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the coming days.
Trump told Musk he was frustrated the system’s speeds remained capped, the WSJ reported, citing officials.
Trump has denied being involved in the decision concerning the slowdown.
Rubio told reporters on Oct 21 that decisions regarding Ukraine’s access to Starlink were up to its parent company SpaceX and its CEO Musk, not the White House.
Zelensky’s relations with Washington have sunk to new lows after Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel and waived new sanctions on Moscow.
Trump has also told Kyiv to stop attacking Russian refineries and urged Ukrainians to replace Zelensky.
Russia pounded Kyiv with ballistic missiles, and Ukraine sent hundreds of drones towards Moscow on Oct 22, as the warring sides kept up a barrage of attacks despite the latest US push to end the conflict.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Trump had promised to end the war when he took office, but the goal has remained elusive. REUTERS