Reuters: US Threatens to "Shut Down Starlink in Ukraine"
According to reports, US negotiators have suggested the idea of limiting Ukraine's access to Starlink internet terminals.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
Washington is reportedly considering leveraging satellite technology in its negotiations regarding Ukraine's mineral reserves.
US officials have indicated that they may block Ukraine from accessing Elon Musk’s Starlink internet terminals if Kyiv fails to provide access to its critical mineral reserves, according to a report on Saturday from Reuters, which cited three individuals familiar with the discussions.
Since 2022, Musk, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has donated over 40,000 internet terminals that have proven essential for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
During a meeting on Thursday between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, Ukraine was told it faces an “imminent shutoff” of Starlink services unless an agreement on critical minerals with the US is reached.
“Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” a source informed Reuters, emphasizing that losing access would represent "a massive blow."
To secure continued military aid from the US, Zelensky has proposed a preferential partnership with Trump to develop Ukraine’s resource potential, including rare-earth minerals. However, he has resisted signing an agreement that would transfer 50% of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to the US, stating, “I cannot sell our country,” during a discussion on Wednesday.
Mike Waltz, Trump's national security adviser, criticized Kyiv's response as “unacceptable,” urging Ukrainian officials to “tone it down” and finalize the minerals deal.
Both Trump and Musk have intensified their criticisms of Zelensky this week, labeling him “a dictator” and suggesting he is considerably unpopular domestically. Trump asserted that Ukraine lacks the standing to critique his decision to revive direct negotiations with Russia, which had been halted by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
Earlier this month, Zelensky acknowledged that nearly half of Ukraine's rare-earth deposits are “under Russian occupation.” In a recent Bloomberg article, commodities expert Javier Blas suggested that Trump’s expectations for a deal are significantly inflated, noting that Ukraine “has no significant rare-earth deposits other than small scandium mines.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
US officials have indicated that they may block Ukraine from accessing Elon Musk’s Starlink internet terminals if Kyiv fails to provide access to its critical mineral reserves, according to a report on Saturday from Reuters, which cited three individuals familiar with the discussions.
Since 2022, Musk, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has donated over 40,000 internet terminals that have proven essential for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
During a meeting on Thursday between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, Ukraine was told it faces an “imminent shutoff” of Starlink services unless an agreement on critical minerals with the US is reached.
“Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” a source informed Reuters, emphasizing that losing access would represent "a massive blow."
To secure continued military aid from the US, Zelensky has proposed a preferential partnership with Trump to develop Ukraine’s resource potential, including rare-earth minerals. However, he has resisted signing an agreement that would transfer 50% of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to the US, stating, “I cannot sell our country,” during a discussion on Wednesday.
Mike Waltz, Trump's national security adviser, criticized Kyiv's response as “unacceptable,” urging Ukrainian officials to “tone it down” and finalize the minerals deal.
Both Trump and Musk have intensified their criticisms of Zelensky this week, labeling him “a dictator” and suggesting he is considerably unpopular domestically. Trump asserted that Ukraine lacks the standing to critique his decision to revive direct negotiations with Russia, which had been halted by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
Earlier this month, Zelensky acknowledged that nearly half of Ukraine's rare-earth deposits are “under Russian occupation.” In a recent Bloomberg article, commodities expert Javier Blas suggested that Trump’s expectations for a deal are significantly inflated, noting that Ukraine “has no significant rare-earth deposits other than small scandium mines.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
