U.S. negotiators have reportedly threatened to cut off Elon Musk’s Starlink access to Ukraine if they can’t reach a deal on minerals, Newsweek reported, based on “three sources familiar with the matter” who spoke to Reuters.
Why It Matters
satellite internet service Starlink provides critical internet connectivity to Kyiv and its military. About 42,000 Starlink terminals are in operation across hospitals, businesses, and the military in Ukraine, according to the online newspaper The Kyiv Independent.
The current situation has seen tension between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In that context, Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Reuters, “Losing Starlink would be a game changer.”
More recently, Zelenskyy, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, rejected a proposal that would have allowed American companies to own 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits. The plan was originally intended as a way to repay the country for its military support.
According to The Associated Press, Zelenskyy refused to sign the agreement, saying it prioritized only US interests and lacked provisions that would help prevent future Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, on February 18, US and Russian officials held peace talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine, with Zelenskyy saying Trump is influenced by Russian meddling and Trump calling Zelenskyy a dictator.
According to Reuters, Ukraine’s access to Starlink has come up in discussions at least twice. First, after Zelenskyy rejected an offer from Bessent, and second, on Thursday, during a meeting with Joseph Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy to Ukraine, sources said.
According to Reuters, Kyiv has been warned it will face a shutdown of Starlink services if it does not agree to a deal with the US on minerals.
Billionaire Elon Musk brought thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace destroyed communications services after a 2022 Russian invasion. However, Musk later scaled back his service access as he became more critical of Kyiv’s handling of the war.
A source told Reuters that Ukraine operates Starlink and considers it their North Star. Losing Starlink would be a big blow to Ukraine.
What Happens Next
Importantly, it remains to be seen whether the US and Ukraine will come to an agreement on minerals.
Trump is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, as NATO ponders how to deal with the prospect of US-Russia peace talks excluding Ukraine and its European allies.
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