What changed
Donald Trump said Elon Musk had restored Ukraine’s access to Starlink, the SpaceX satellite system used by Ukraine’s military. The statement came after Volodymyr Zelensky said military speeds remained below normal, following reported caps of about 160 km/h rather than the stated 400 km/h.
Trump declined to say whether he had pressured Musk to lift the restrictions, though he said: “Bottom line, he put it back.” Whether access is fully restored, and who caused the restrictions, remains unclear.
Why it matters
Starlink is not just a battlefield convenience for Ukraine. Its network supports military communications and warning systems during Russian missile attacks, while the reported slowdown left Ukrainian offensive drones and interceptors unable to operate effectively against Russian attacks.
The timing also makes this a test of who controls a crucial piece of Ukraine’s war infrastructure. Musk has said the US government ultimately controls Starshield, the military version of Starlink used in some Ukrainian operations. The White House has repeatedly denied ordering any restriction.
Zelensky is now waiting for information from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Until Ukrainian forces confirm that speeds and service have returned to normal, Trump’s statement is a political assurance, not a technical all-clear.
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