Elon Musk reportedly suggested to Donald Trump that Starlink’s service in Ukraine could be slowed, potentially weakening Kyiv’s ability to detect and counter Russian drone and missile strikes, according to sources.
The SpaceX founder later blamed the US president publicly for the turmoil surrounding the decision to limit Ukraine’s access to the satellite network. Service has since been restored.
However, people familiar with the discussions claim that Mr Trump agreed with Mr Musk’s proposal to impose speed restrictions on Starshield, the military-focused version of Starlink.
Mr Musk said on Wednesday that any such changes would have required Pentagon approval—and, ultimately, authorisation from the US president.
The reported conversation took place as Mr Trump was engaged in a bitter dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Washington had warned Kyiv that continued strikes would trigger a response, including the possible withdrawal of some US support for Ukraine.
Mr Trump also suggested that Mr Zelensky should be removed from office, arguing that the Ukrainian leader was “more difficult to deal with than Putin”.
Sources claim Elon Musk proposed slowing Starlink in Ukraine, potentially reducing its role in intercepting Russian drones and missiles
Ukraine targets Russia’s largest gas condensate processing facility in Surgut, 1,615 miles from the border
An artilleryman with the Special Rifle Police Battalion in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region sets up a Starlink satellite internet system
One source, describing how the proposed Starlink restrictions emerged, said: “[Mr Musk] tweeted that he was blameless and that the US administration had taken the action.
“The truth is that they were both involved.”
Two senior Ukrainian sources and a high-ranking European official also backed that account in comments to The Telegraph.
The claims have emerged as Mr Trump halted new sanctions against Russia, only a week after reaching an agreement with Vladimir Putin to supply the United States with more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel.
In a letter to Congress, the President said the decision was in the national interest. It reverses legislation he signed only last month, which was named in honour of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
The executive order, issued late on Friday, was published just two days before the deadline set by the legislation for its implementation.
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Mr Trump has also declined to hold Mr Putin responsible for beginning the war in Ukraine, placing him at odds with Britain and several other allies.
Asked whether he had forgotten that the Russian president started the conflict, Mr Trump avoided a direct answer and suggested the circumstances were more complicated.
“I know the details, OK, and at some point I’ll release the details,” he said.
“But I don’t care about anything except one thing: I want that war ended.”
Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike in Ukraine
Starlink satellite-based broadband system used by Ukrainian servicemen is seen in Bakhmut on February 1, 2023
Police paramedics evacuate a resident from an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike in Ukraine
And while the US-Ukraine relationship frays, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that Britain will join Germany and France in a major military exercise in Poland next month.
Speaking in Washington DC, Mr Streeting said: ‘Ukraine is the front line for freedom everywhere, and it’s absolutely vital that they prevail against Putin’s aggression.
‘We’re planning for the peace and freedom we want to see through our leadership of the coalition of the willing.’
The drill is aimed at ensuring Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the war is over.
With 1,500 troops taking part, the exercise will simulate moving troops and supplies such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a coalition of the willing summit in July.
Meanwhile, Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine continues, with Kyiv reporting further strikes on Friday, wounding civilians, damaging homes and disrupting power supplies.
Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine’s energy grid in the lead-up to winter in an effort to ‘weaponise’ freezing temperatures, and officials in Kyiv have warned Moscow is stockpiling missiles for more attacks over the coming months.
The Daily Mail has contacted SpaceX for comment. The Pentagon has not publicly explained the restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine.
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