In brief
President Donald Trump has denied any responsibility in the recent order that limited Ukraine’s use of the Starlink‑derived Starshield service, a move that cut drone speed to 100 miles per hour. The throttling, reported to have come from within the White House, has weakened Kyiv’s ability to counter Russian attacks, leaving hundreds of thousands without power after a wave of strikes. While Elon Musk suggested U.S. involvement, Senior SpaceX officials say the Pentagon manages the military network. Congressional leaders have called for a probe, and European allies, led by France’s Emmanuel Macron, have pledged continued support amid doubts over U.S. backing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied any role in limiting Ukraine's access to the military‑grade Starshield service when a speed‑restriction order cut drone connectivity.
"I wasn’t me and I don’t think it was [Starlink owner] Elon [Musk]," Trump said hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukraine’s internet was throttled.
Reuters reported that the order originated inside the White House, while Musk suggested the U.S. government might have pushed the change.
The speed limit of 100 mph meant weapons moving faster lost Starlink connectivity, undermining Kyiv’s defensive capacity during a series of Russian strikes that left 600,000 civilians without power.
Senators are demanding an investigation, and the conflict over a U.S. diesel‑oil deal with Russia has pushed Washington and Kyiv into a tense standoff.
Meanwhile, European leaders have committed to sustain aid, with France’s Emmanuel Macron stressing that EU states will not abandon Ukraine amid "ambiguities" in U.S. support.
