U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system as part of pressure to secure a critical minerals deal. The discussions come amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over repayment for wartime aid.
According to three sources familiar with the matter, U.S. officials mentioned Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink during negotiations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected an initial minerals proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The issue was again raised in meetings between U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskyy on Thursday.
A source briefed on the talks said Ukraine was warned of an "imminent shutoff" if it did not reach a deal on mineral exports. “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” the source said. “Losing Starlink... would be a massive blow.”
Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has been crucial in Ukraine’s war effort, ensuring internet connectivity after Russian attacks destroyed traditional infrastructure. It is particularly vital for Ukraine’s military, enabling communication and drone operations.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described Starlink as a game changer for Ukraine. “Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” she said, emphasizing its role in maintaining Ukraine’s growing parity with Russia in drone warfare and artillery usage.
Musk initially supplied Starlink terminals to Ukraine in 2022 but later curtailed access, reportedly over concerns about its use in offensive operations.
The U.S. is seeking access to Ukraine’s critical minerals—including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—as part of a broader economic arrangement. Trump has embraced the idea, arguing that Ukraine should supply the U.S. with rare earths in return for continued financial aid.
Last week, Zelenskyy rejected a detailed U.S. proposal that would have granted Washington and U.S. firms a 50% share of Ukraine’s mineral resources. The Ukrainian leader has insisted on security guarantees as part of any deal, which the U.S. has not provided.
Since then, tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have escalated. Trump, who is attempting to broker an end to the war, has criticized Zelenskyy, calling him “a dictator without elections.” The Ukrainian president, in turn, accused Trump of being trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble after the U.S. leader suggested Ukraine was responsible for the war.
The White House, Pentagon, and Ukrainian embassy in Washington have not commented on the reported negotiations. SpaceX has also remained silent on whether Starlink access is being used as leverage.
As Kyiv and Washington continue negotiations, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to finalize an agreement that balances economic necessity with long-term security needs.
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Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
German police have detained a suspect after a major fire broke out at the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest”, a mountain retreat once used by senior Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday dismissed accusations that Canada planned to interfere in next month’s U.S. midterm elections, saying he was disappointed by comments from the American ambassador.
Kenya has recorded a second death from Ebola, the health ministry said late on Friday, as the outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across Africa.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country’s Christian minority that has raised fresh questions about security in the country.
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