The U.S. is pushing Ukraine for access to its critical minerals, with negotiators raising the possibility of cutting off Starlink, Elon Musk’s vital satellite internet service, if Kyiv does not comply, sources told Reuters.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been crucial for Ukraine’s military and communication needs since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The issue arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. During a meeting between U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy, Ukraine was warned of an imminent shutdown if a deal was not reached, according to a source familiar with the talks.
Zelenskiy has refused demands from President Donald Trump's administration for $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s mineral resources, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium, to compensate for wartime aid, citing a lack of security guarantees. The leaders have since clashed, with Trump calling Zelenskiy “a dictator without elections” after the Ukrainian president suggested Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation.
Musk initially provided thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, earning praise, but later limited access in 2022. Losing Starlink would be a major setback, as Ukraine relies on it for military operations, especially drones.
Trump supports leveraging Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for U.S. financial aid, aligning with Ukraine’s past efforts to open its resources to allied investment. Zelenskiy recently rejected a U.S. proposal granting American firms a 50% stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals. While both sides continue discussions, uncertainty looms over Ukraine’s connectivity and war efforts.
Neither the Ukrainian embassy, the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense, nor SpaceX has commented on the matter.