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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.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
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A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least 14 people were reported dead and dozens more injured in Nepal’s capital on Monday according to the state media after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators attempting to storm parliament over a social media blackout and corruption.
The European Commission is expected to present its 19th package of sanctions against Russia by Friday, according to EU diplomats.
Israel's military said on Monday it had intercepted a drone launched from Yemen after sirens sounded near Eilat, a day after Yemen's Houthis hit an airport close to the southern Israeli city with a drone.
Russian forces struck a thermal power generation facility in the Kyiv region as part of an overnight attack, Ukraine's energy ministry said on Monday, provoking localised blackouts and gas outages.
The Azerbaijani women’s 3x basketball team clinched the silver medal at the European Cup to make history at the just concluded tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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