US may cut Ukraine's Starlink internet access over minerals: Reuters
3 Min Read
Amid negotiations over Ukraine's vast critical mineral reserves, US officials have reportedly linked the country’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet to a potential minerals agreement.
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Vast’s Haven-1 commercial space station (with docked Dragon spacecraft) connecting via laser terminals to SpaceX Starlink satellite network. (Illustration: Vast)
US negotiators seeking access to Ukraine's critical minerals have brought up the possibility of cutting the country’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, according to three sources cited by Reuters.
Ukraine’s reliance on SpaceX’s Starlink was reportedly discussed after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the sources revealed. The service is reportedly vital for Ukraine’s military operations and broader connectivity.
The matter resurfaced on Thursday during talks between US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelensky, with one source stating that Ukraine was warned it could face an "imminent shutoff" if a minerals deal was not reached.
The source further emphasized, "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink ... would be a massive blow."
Driving the news
Zelensky has rejected a demand from President Donald Trump’s administration for "$500 billion in mineral wealth" as repayment for US wartime aid, arguing that Washington has not provided clear security guarantees. However, on Friday, he indicated that negotiations were ongoing, while Trump expressed confidence that a deal would soon be finalized.
Musk had initially delivered thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine following the beginning of the war, replacing damaged communications infrastructure. However, he has since limited access on at least one occasion, particularly as his stance on Ukraine’s war strategy shifted.
Trump’s approach to the Ukraine war has divided US lawmakers, with some also raising concerns about Musk’s recent actions, including large-scale job cuts at federal agencies.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stressed the importance of Starlink to Ukraine’s military strategy, particularly in drone warfare. "Losing Starlink would be a game changer," she warned, noting Ukraine’s technological parity with Russia in drones and artillery.
A flashback
Last fall, Ukraine proposed opening its critical minerals sector to allied investments as part of a "victory plan" designed to strengthen its position in negotiations and pressure Moscow. Trump has supported this idea, seeking Ukrainian rare earths and other resources in exchange for continued US financial aid.
Zelensky recently rejected a US proposal that would have granted Washington and American firms control over 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—essential for electric vehicle batteries.
This disagreement has widened the gap between Zelensky and Trump. On Wednesday, Trump criticized Zelensky as "a dictator without elections," while Zelensky accused Trump of being "trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble" after the US president suggested that Ukraine initiated the war.
