U.S. Pushes Ukraine for Critical Minerals, Raises Starlink Shutdown Threat
U.S. Pressures Ukraine to grant access to its critical minerals by raising the possibility of cutting off Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, according to sources familiar with the talks. Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has been essential for Ukraine’s military and civilian communications since the Russian invasion in 2022.
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s War Effort
Starlink provides critical connectivity in Ukraine, enabling battlefield communication and the operation of drones—a key pillar of Kyiv’s military strategy. Losing access to the service would be a severe blow. “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” one source said.
According to reports, the U.S. first raised Starlink’s future in negotiations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected an initial proposal from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The topic resurfaced during a meeting between U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy, where Ukraine was reportedly warned of an imminent shutdown if it did not agree to a deal.
Musk denied the allegations, calling the Reuters report “false” on his social media platform, X. However, Reuters has stood by its reporting.
U.S. Pressures Ukraine in Exchange for Support
U.S. Pressures Ukraine to grant access to its vast reserves of critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—key components in industries such as aerospace, defence, and electric vehicle production.
Zelenskiy recently rejected a U.S. proposal that would have granted Washington and American firms a 50% stake in Ukraine’s mineral resources. He also turned down Trump administration demands for $500 billion in mineral wealth as repayment for U.S. wartime aid, citing the lack of specific security guarantees.
Political Fallout and Future Negotiations
The dispute has widened the rift between Zelenskiy and Trump. Trump has embraced the idea of Ukraine supplying the U.S. with rare earths in exchange for financial support but has also criticised Zelenskiy, calling him “a dictator without elections.” In response, Zelenskiy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, particularly after Trump suggested that Ukraine started the war.
Meanwhile, Russia and the U.S. are planning a second round of talks within two weeks to discuss a potential resolution to the conflict, following an initial meeting in Riyadh.
As negotiations continue, Ukraine’s access to Starlink remains a pressing issue, with potential consequences for its military strategy and broader geopolitical dynamics.
With inputs from Reuters
