U.S. officials pushing Kyiv for entry to Ukraine’s essential minerals have floated the chance of limiting the nation’s reach to Elon Musk’s key Starlink satellite web system, three insiders aware of the matter told Reuters.
Ukraine’s ongoing link to SpaceX-operated Starlink was mentioned in talks between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives after Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed an opening offer from U.S. Treasury Chief Scott Bessent, the insiders stated.
Starlink delivers vital web connection to battle-scarred Ukraine and its troops.
The topic came up again on Thursday during discussions between Keith Kellogg, the U.S. exclusive Ukraine delegate, and Zelenskiy, said one of the insiders, who was briefed on the dialogue.
During the session, Ukraine was informed it risked immediate cut-off of the network if it failed to finalize an agreement on vital minerals, said the insider, who sought secrecy to reveal private negotiations.
“Ukraine relies on Starlink. They see it as their guiding light,” said the insider. “Losing Starlink … would be a significant setback.”
Zelenskiy has dismissed requests from President Donald Trump’s government for $500 billion in mineral deposits from Ukraine to settle Washington for wartime help, stating the U.S. has provided no clear defense assurances.
On Friday, the Ukrainian leader said the U.S. and Ukrainian groups were developing an accord and Trump stated he anticipates an agreement will be finalized shortly.
Musk sent thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to substitute communication networks damaged by Russia after its February 2022 assault. Celebrated as a hero in Ukraine, Musk later reduced access at least one time before in the autumn of 2022 as he became increasingly skeptical of Kyiv’s war strategies.
U.S. legislators are split over Trump’s attempts to secure a fast resolution to the Ukraine conflict and some have questioned Musk’s swift actions to dismiss thousands of federal employees and close Federal branches.
Melinda Haring, a senior researcher with the Atlantic Council, stated Starlink was crucial for Ukraine’s management of drones, a central pillar of its battle strategy.
“Losing Starlink would be a decisive moment,” Haring stated, emphasizing that Ukraine was currently at equal footing with Russia regarding drone deployment and artillery fire. Ukraine possesses a broad array of various drone capacities, ranging from naval drones and monitoring drones to long-range autonomous aerial systems.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House and the U.S. Defense Department did not instantly answer a request for response.
SpaceX, which controls Starlink, also did not promptly answer a request for response.
Last autumn, Ukraine suggested the possibility of granting its vital minerals for investment by partners. This was part of a “victory blueprint” that aimed to place it in the strongest stance for discussions and compel Moscow to negotiate.
Trump has backed the notion, stating he wishes Ukraine to deliver the U.S. with rare metals and other resources in exchange for funding its conflict effort.
Zelenskiy dismissed a thorough U.S. proposition last week that would have allowed Washington and U.S. businesses to acquire 50% of Ukraine’s vital minerals, which include graphite, uranium, titanium and lithium, a crucial element in electric vehicle batteries.
Since then, tensions have risen between the heads, with Trump condemning Zelenskiy as “a ruler without polls” on Wednesday after Zelenskiy claimed Trump was ensnared in a Russian deception campaign, a reply to the U.S. president hinting Ukraine initiated the conflict.