President Donald Trump stated Thursday that Elon Musk has restored Ukraine’s access to the Starlink satellite internet system, following a dispute over connectivity that Kyiv said hampered its military drone operations.
The announcement came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the service—critical for battlefield communications, early warning systems, and drone guidance—had not yet returned to full capacity. Musk had previously denied responsibility for the slowdown, which reportedly limited the effectiveness of Ukrainian offensive drones and interceptors against Russian targets.
When questioned about a Wall Street Journal report alleging he pressured Musk to lift the restrictions, Trump declined to confirm the specifics but summarized the outcome: “Bottom line, he put it back.” The Trump administration has consistently maintained it did not instruct SpaceX to limit Ukraine’s access.
The connectivity issues emerged as the White House intensified pressure on Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, arguing the attacks contribute to rising global energy prices. In a related move ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, the administration waived certain sanctions on Russia and finalized an agreement to import Russian diesel—a decision criticized by Kyiv and its European partners.
Speaking at a press conference earlier Thursday, Zelensky noted the system’s operational speed—essential for drone velocity—had not yet reached the required threshold of 400 km/h (250 mph). “We are working on it,” he said, adding that he awaited a follow-up from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had pledged information within 48 hours.
Shortly after Zelensky’s remarks, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had personally called Musk to demand the restoration of full Starlink speeds. According to the report, Trump expressed frustration that speeds remained capped at roughly 160 km/h, rendering Ukrainian drones ineffective. The outlet indicated the system began functioning more normally Thursday following that conversation. The BBC has not independently confirmed the Journal’s account and has requested comment from the White House and SpaceX.
Ukraine first reported an interruption to U.S. intelligence sharing on October 14. Last week, Musk stated that the U.S. government ultimately controls access to Starshield, the military-grade variant of Starlink used for sensitive Ukrainian operations, noting the system was designed for the Pentagon. The White House has repeatedly denied ordering any access restrictions.