The United States has reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service as part of ongoing negotiations over Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, according to three sources familiar with the matter. This move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s rejection of an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Starlink, owned by SpaceX, is essential to Ukraine’s communication networks, particularly in military operations, and has played a crucial role in keeping the country connected amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
During a meeting on Thursday between US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy, Ukraine was informed that its access to Starlink could be shut off unless an agreement on mineral resources was reached. One source highlighted the importance of Starlink to Ukraine, stating, “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star.”
Dispute Over Mineral Wealth
The heart of the dispute lies in Washington’s demand for access to Ukraine’s abundant critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium. These resources are vital for the production of electric car batteries and advanced technologies, making them highly strategic.
Zelenskiy rejected a proposal from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which suggested that Ukraine’s $500 billion worth of mineral reserves be made available in exchange for continued American financial aid. The Ukrainian president has insisted that any such arrangement should come with explicit security guarantees, which the US has not yet provided.
On Friday, Zelenskiy stated that negotiations were ongoing between US and Ukrainian teams, while Trump expressed confidence that a deal would be finalized soon.
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s Defense
Musk’s Starlink service first came to Ukraine’s aid in early 2022, providing thousands of satellite terminals to replace communication networks that had been disrupted by Russia’s invasion. The service has since become indispensable to Ukraine’s military, particularly in its use of drones—critical assets in its defense strategy.
Analysts warn that losing Starlink access would have a severe impact on Ukraine’s ability to maintain battlefield communications. Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described the service as a “game changer,” noting that Starlink had enabled Ukraine to achieve parity with Russia in drone warfare and artillery.
Musk has previously limited Starlink access, most notably in late 2022, amid rising tensions over Ukraine’s handling of the war.
Political Fallout
The mineral dispute has led to increasing tensions between Trump and Zelenskiy. Trump recently referred to Zelenskiy as “a dictator without elections,” following accusations from the Ukrainian president that Trump was being influenced by Russian disinformation.
In the past year, Ukraine proposed opening its critical mineral sector to Western investment as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in talks with Moscow. However, Trump has pushed for a more direct trade-off, arguing that Ukraine should exchange its mineral resources for continued US support.
Neither the White House, the US Department of Defense, nor SpaceX has commented on the reported negotiations, and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington has not released a statement regarding the issue.
