UK Prime Minister Urges Full Starlink Access for Ukraine in Call with Trump

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized the necessity of unimpeded Starlink access for Ukraine during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation occurred amidst claims that Elon Musk's SpaceX had ordered a slowdown of the crucial satellite communication system, which Ukraine relies on to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukraine has reported that speed limitations on Starlink services significantly curtailed its ability to detect incoming Russian threats, leading to increased vulnerability. These developments have reportedly strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.

According to a readout from Downing Street, Burnham stated, "The Prime Minister underlined the importance for Ukraine to have full access to Starlink so they can continue to defend themselves against Russia's full-scale invasion." The readout also noted that Burnham "recognized the work of President Trump to bring Putin to the negotiation table and the leaders agreed to work together, alongside international partners, to bring an end to the bloodshed."

However, the source of the Starlink slowdown remains a point of contention. Musk, through his SpaceX firm, has indicated that any restrictions on Starlink services are determined by the U.S. military and ultimately by President Trump. Conversely, President Trump has publicly stated he was unaware of who was responsible for the slowdown and expressed a desire to investigate.

Reports have surfaced suggesting Musk approached Trump with the idea of limiting Starlink in Ukraine, with the U.S. President reportedly agreeing to the proposal. This has led to accusations from some Ukrainians that either Trump or Musk bears responsibility for casualties attributed to the service disruption.

The British government has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions surrounding the conflict. This includes addressing recent decisions, such as the U.S. President's move to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, which was seen as an attempt to lower fuel prices ahead of mid-term elections. Additionally, recent remarks by a White House aide characterizing Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" were strongly rejected by Downing Street, which condemned Putin's actions in Ukraine and his treatment of his own citizens.