Musk Approached Trump to Restrict Ukraine's Starlink Access, Sources Claim
Tech billionaire Elon Musk reportedly proposed limiting Starlink's capabilities in Ukraine to Donald Trump, aiming to curb Kyiv's ability to intercept Russian attacks.
Elon Musk approached former President Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down the Starlink satellite system in Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The alleged proposal aimed to inhibit Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks, as well as conduct operations behind enemy lines. Musk publicly blamed the Biden administration for restrictions on the satellite system, which has since been restored, but sources suggest he and Trump agreed on limiting the military-grade version of Starlink, known as Starshield.
Musk stated on Wednesday that any changes to the system would have required approval from the Pentagon and, by extension, the U.S. president. At the time of the discussions, Trump was reportedly in a dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump's administration had previously warned Kyiv that failure to halt these attacks could lead to a reduction in U.S. support.
Sources cited by The Telegraph, including two well-placed Ukrainian sources and a high-ranking European official, corroborated this account. One source stated, "He [Musk] tweeted out that he was innocent and that it was the US administration that did it. The reality is that they were both in it."
These revelations emerge amidst other recent actions by Trump, including suspending new sanctions on Russia shortly after a deal to supply the U.S. with significant amounts of diesel fuel. Trump also declined to directly blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for initiating the war in Ukraine, stating his priority was to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, international responses to the ongoing conflict continue. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the UK will join Germany and France in a large-scale military exercise in Poland next month, designed to ensure NATO forces are prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine post-war. This exercise will involve 1,500 troops and simulate the movement of essential supplies.
Russia's bombardment of Ukraine persists, with reports of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian officials warn that Moscow is stockpiling missiles for future attacks, particularly targeting the energy grid as winter approaches.
The Daily Mail has contacted SpaceX for comment. The Pentagon has not provided a public explanation for the previous restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine.