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.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
In a rare direct call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed escalating trade tensions and a critical minerals dispute that threatens global supply chains. The hour-long conversation, which touched on tariffs, rare earth exports.
In a grey government building near Tiananmen Square, a small team within China’s Ministry of Commerce is quietly shaping the future of the global auto, aerospace, and tech industries—one export permit at a time. With rare earth magnets now under strict export control.
China approved 11.29 gigawatts (GW) of new coal-fired power capacity in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the 10.34 GW approved in the entire first half of 2024, according to a new report released by Greenpeace on Thursday.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
In a rare direct call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed escalating trade tensions and a critical minerals dispute that threatens global supply chains. The hour-long conversation, which touched on tariffs, rare earth exports.
In a grey government building near Tiananmen Square, a small team within China’s Ministry of Commerce is quietly shaping the future of the global auto, aerospace, and tech industries—one export permit at a time. With rare earth magnets now under strict export control.
Armenia's unchecked mining pollution poses a severe environmental crisis, imperilling water resources and health across the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. Heavy metal contamination in shared rivers threatens ecosystems and human well-being, demanding urgent international action.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has extended warm wishes to Muslims around the world celebrating Eid al-Adha, calling for unity, compassion, and solidarity in a time marked by global conflict and division.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
In a rare direct call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed escalating trade tensions and a critical minerals dispute that threatens global supply chains. The hour-long conversation, which touched on tariffs, rare earth exports.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
In a rare direct call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed escalating trade tensions and a critical minerals dispute that threatens global supply chains. The hour-long conversation, which touched on tariffs, rare earth exports.
In a grey government building near Tiananmen Square, a small team within China’s Ministry of Commerce is quietly shaping the future of the global auto, aerospace, and tech industries—one export permit at a time. With rare earth magnets now under strict export control.
Armenia's unchecked mining pollution poses a severe environmental crisis, imperilling water resources and health across the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. Heavy metal contamination in shared rivers threatens ecosystems and human well-being, demanding urgent international action.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment