The U.S. negotiators have reportedly pressed Ukraine for access to its critical mineral resources.
This is raising the possibility of cutting off access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system, according to sources familiar with the matter, BRICS news reports.
Starlink, a system owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been essential for Ukraine’s military and civilian communication since Russia’s military operation began in February 2022.
The issue surfaced in discussions after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declined an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, sources told Reuters.
During a meeting on Thursday between U.S. Special Ukraine Envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy, the possibility of losing Starlink access was raised again.
One source, who was briefed on the talks, claimed Ukraine was warned of an imminent service shutdown if an agreement on critical minerals was not reached.
“Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” the source said.
“Losing Starlink … would be a massive blow.”
The U.S. has reportedly demanded $500 billion in mineral wealth from Ukraine as repayment for wartime aid.
However, Zelenskiy has rejected these terms, citing a lack of clear security guarantees from the Trump administration.
Despite tensions, both nations are working toward a resolution. Zelenskiy stated on Friday that negotiations are ongoing, while Trump expressed confidence that a deal would be finalized soon.
Musk initially provided Starlink terminals to Ukraine to restore communications following Russian military actions.
However, he previously curtailed access in 2022 amid growing criticism of Kyiv’s wartime strategies.
Experts emphasize Starlink’s significance for Ukraine’s military operations, particularly its drone capabilities.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, called the system a “game changer,” highlighting its role in Ukraine’s evolving warfare strategy.
