Volodymyr Zelensky “Betrayed” by U.S. Starlink Decision – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country feels “betrayed” by the United States and President Donald Trump.
The two leaders have clashed once again over the past week after Trump announced a surprise deal to release Russian diesel onto the U.S. and global markets. The U.S. President also called for Zelensky to resign before announcing an “energy ceasefire,” to Ukraine’s surprise.
Ukraine President Zelensky 2026 Creative Commons Photo
Zelensky Speaking in UK Ukraine Government Photo
Frustrations grew further this week as Kyiv accused the U.S. and Elon Musk of effectively turning off Starlink in Ukraine.
Satellite of War
Since the war began in February 2022, Starlink has been Crucial to Ukraine because it provides resilient satellite Internet in areas where conventional infrastructure has been damaged or jammed by Russian attacks. Ukrainian forces have used the network to coordinate units, transmit battlefield information, and help operate drones, while the more secure Starshield system is designed specifically for government and military communications.
Overnight into the morning of Wednesday, 14th October, the satellite terminals, which are managed by SpaceX, were restricted to 100mph, limiting the Ukrainian ability to take out a Russian ballistic missile attack with drones that traveled any faster.
At least nine people were killed in the Russian strikes – the second in succession that have taken place without warning from Western allies.
Feeling of Betrayal
On Wednesday evening, Zelensky, rounding off a trip to the United Kingdom to meet new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored for an interview lasting more than an hour.
Morgan led with the Starlink saga, asking whether the Ukrainian President felt betrayed by the Trump administration.
“Really, yes… but it’s a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings,” Zelensky replied. It’s a pity we are losing a strong partner.
With Ukrainian air defenses restricted by the satellite blackout, and drones unable to strike into Russian territory, the Ukrainian leader said: “I am sure they know what they did, absolutely. Because it was 1 a.m., SpaceX and the United States blocked Starlink. This decision will bring a lot of human losses… of course, people will die.”
Starlink Restored
With drones effectively redundant when speeds are limited, satellite communications are a vital tool for the Ukrainian forces, who have been forced to defend their land for well over four and a half years.
“Starlink gives Ukraine the ability to see what’s coming, to protect people,” Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, told the BBC. “If you cut that off, then more people are going to get killed – and that is a very cynical and callous decision to slow that down the way that has been done.”
Connectivity was restored by Wednesday evening.
Musk Wades In
SpaceX founder Elon Musk responded to accusations that his company had deliberately cut off Ukrainian access to Starlink as Washington pressures Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian energy facilities and accept a compromise to end the war.
Earlier in the week, Musk called for Ukraine “to get a new leader” after Trump’s remarks outside the White House, adding in a separate post that the Ukrainian President had “gone too far.
On Wednesday, the owner of the social media platform X replied to a post from Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who said connectivity speeds were being restored and that “removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense.”
“Thank you, Elon Musk. We hope for your continued support,” Fedorov added.
In response, Musk said: “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately POTUS (President of the United States).”
He added that Starlink is a commercial service which is “limited to civilian or defense activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company.”
The Trump administration has remained quiet on the subject, and the White House has declined to confirm or deny Musk’s assertion. The Pentagon has not commented. However, an unnamed senior U.S. official reportedly said the Trump administration did not influence the restrictions.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
