U.S. Treasury Secretary Warns Zelenskyy Against Accusations of U.S.-Imposed Starlink Restrictions
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be cautious in public statements suggesting the Trump administration was responsible for restricting military-grade Starlink internet access in Ukraine. The restrictions, which affect Starshield—a government-controlled version of SpaceX’s service—have reportedly hindered Ukraine's ability to use drones and other defense systems effectively during its conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy had previously claimed on NBC that the U.S. was responsible for slowing down Starlink access and blocking Ukrainian intelligence sharing, which has caused friction in bilateral relations. Bessent denied these claims, stating that Trump administration officials have categorically rejected any involvement in such actions. Elon Musk also attributed control of speed limits to the U.S. government. The issue highlights growing tensions between Ukraine and the United States under President Donald Trump’s second term, as he has pushed for a peace deal with Russia while facing domestic pressure over rising energy prices linked to geopolitical conflicts.
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Topics: Starlink Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Ukraine United States Zelenskyy
Part of the story Elon Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Affected Ukraine's Military Operations (4 articles)