Ukraine's reliance on Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system is under scrutiny as discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials intensify. At the heart of the matter is Ukraine's continued access to this critical internet service, particularly for military operations, in exchange for access to Ukraine's valuable mineral resources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly rejected the United States' demand for $500 billion in mineral wealth as repayment for wartime aid, citing a lack of specific security guarantees from Washington.
The Starlink internet system has proven indispensable for Ukraine, especially in operating its extensive range of drones—an essential component of its military strategy. As Melinda Haring, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, notes, losing Starlink would be a "game-changer" for Ukraine. The country currently maintains parity with Russia in terms of drone usage and artillery shells, underscoring the significance of reliable internet connectivity.
Discussions have taken a strategic turn as U.S. negotiators consider cutting Ukraine's access to Starlink to pressure the country into opening its mineral resources to investment by allies. This proposition follows Ukraine's earlier suggestion last fall to welcome such investments. However, tensions escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Ukraine supplying the U.S. with rare earths and other minerals in exchange for financial support for its war effort.
The situation has been further complicated by Elon Musk's previous decision to limit Starlink access in the fall of 2022 due to his criticism of Kyiv's handling of the war. This historical precedent raises concerns about the potential impact of losing Starlink services once more. As a source succinctly put it, "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star."
In the midst of these developments, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy reassured that both U.S. and Ukrainian teams are actively working towards an agreement regarding Ukraine's access to Starlink. Despite these efforts, SpaceX, Starlink's owner, has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.