The United States has reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service as part of negotiations over critical mineral resources, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The issue was brought up after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the sources said. Starlink, owned by SpaceX, plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s communication networks, particularly in military operations.
During a meeting between US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy on Thursday, Ukraine was reportedly told that it faced an imminent shutoff from Starlink unless an agreement on mineral resources was reached. One source described Ukraine’s dependence on the system as critical, stating, “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star.”
Dispute over mineral wealth
The negotiations have centered around Washington’s demand for access to Ukraine’s rich reserves of critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium. These resources are considered strategic for the production of electric car batteries and other advanced technologies.
Zelenskiy has rejected a proposal from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which sought $500 billion worth of mineral wealth in exchange for continued American financial aid to Ukraine. The Ukrainian president has insisted that any such arrangement should come with explicit security guarantees, which the US has yet to offer.
On Friday, Zelenskiy stated that talks between US and Ukrainian teams were ongoing, while Trump expressed confidence that a deal would soon be signed.
Role of Starlink in Ukraine War
Musk initially provided thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine in early 2022 to replace communication networks disrupted by the Russian invasion. The system has since become integral to Ukraine’s military operations, including the use of drones, a key component of its defense strategy.
Analysts warn that losing Starlink access would significantly impact Ukraine’s ability to maintain battlefield communications. Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described the system as a “game changer,” noting that Ukraine had achieved parity with Russia in terms of drone warfare and artillery capabilities.
Musk has previously curtailed Starlink access, notably in late 2022, amid growing tensions over Kyiv’s handling of the war.
Political fallout
The dispute over critical minerals has led to growing friction between Trump and Zelenskiy. The US president recently described Zelenskiy as “a dictator without elections,” following the Ukrainian leader’s accusation that Trump was trapped in Russian disinformation.
Last year, Ukraine had proposed opening its critical mineral sector to investment from Western allies as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in negotiations with Moscow. Trump has since pushed for a more direct trade-off, arguing that Ukraine should provide mineral resources in exchange for continued US support.
The White House, US Department of Defense, and SpaceX have yet to comment on the reported negotiations. The Ukrainian embassy in Washington has also not issued a statement on the matter.
