US negotiators are pressuring Ukraine for access to its critical minerals, hinting that Ukraine’s access to Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, could be jeopardized if a deal isn’t reached. Discussions intensified after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined an initial US proposal. Starlink is vital for Ukraine’s military operations, particularly for drone coordination. Zelensky rejected a US proposal that would allow American firms 50% access to Ukraine’s minerals, contributing to tensions with US officials. While negotiations continue, experts warn that losing Starlink would significantly impact Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia.
US negotiators urging Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s essential minerals have hinted at the potential termination of the country’s access to Elon Musk’s critical Starlink satellite internet service, according to three sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters.
The issue of Ukraine’s ongoing access to SpaceX-owned Starlink surfaced in talks between US and Ukrainian officials following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s rejection of an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the sources noted.
Starlink is vital for providing internet connectivity to war-ravaged Ukraine and its military operations.
This topic was revisited on Thursday during meetings between Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine, and Zelensky, stated one of the sources, who was informed about the discussions.
During the conversation, Ukraine was warned that it risked imminent disruption of the service unless a deal concerning critical minerals was reached, said the source, who requested anonymity to share details of the confidential negotiations.
“Ukraine relies on Starlink. They see it as their guiding star,” the source remarked. “Losing Starlink … would be a tremendous setback.”
Zelensky has dismissed demands from President Donald Trump’s administration for $500 billion of Ukraine’s mineral resources to offset American wartime assistance, arguing that the US has failed to provide specific security assurances.
On Friday, the Ukrainian president indicated that both US and Ukrainian teams were collaborating on an agreement, with Trump expressing his expectation for a deal to be finalized soon.
Musk expedited the shipment of thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace communication services lost due to Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Celebrated as a hero in Ukraine, Musk previously limited access at least once during the fall of 2022 as he became increasingly critical of Kyiv’s war strategies.
US legislators are divided regarding Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, and some have raised concerns about Musk’s rapid movements to reduce the federal workforce and close down agencies.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, emphasized that Starlink is crucial for Ukraine’s drone operations, a fundamental aspect of its military strategy.
“Losing Starlink would be transformative,” Haring pointed out, highlighting that Ukraine now maintains a 1:1 ratio with Russia in terms of drone and artillery shell usage. Ukraine boasts a diverse range of drone capabilities, including sea drones, surveillance drones, and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House, and the US Department of Defense did not promptly respond to requests for commentary.
SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, also did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment.
Last autumn, Ukraine proposed the idea of allowing allies to invest in its critical minerals, which formed part of a “victory plan” aimed at establishing a robust negotiating position and compelling Moscow to engage in talks.
Trump has supported this proposition, stating his desire for Ukraine to supply the US with rare earth elements and other minerals in exchange for financial backing of its military efforts.
Last week, Zelensky turned down a comprehensive US proposal that would have allocated 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries, to Washington and US corporations.
Since then, a rift has developed between the two leaders, with Trump labeling Zelensky as “a dictator without elections” on Wednesday after Zelensky remarked that Trump was ensnared in a Russian disinformation narrative, responding to the US president’s suggestion that Ukraine instigated the war.
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