Ukraine: Starlink Cutoff? Minerals Deal Pressure

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

US is pressuring Ukraine on a minerals deal with a Starlink cutoff threat.
Zelenskyy rejected the US proposal granting 50% mineral control.
Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity for the Ukrainian military.
Trump wants Ukraine to supply rare earths and other minerals to the US.
Losing Starlink would significantly impact Ukraine’s drone operations.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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According to a Reuters report, US negotiators are pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals. They have raised the possibility of cutting off the country’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system if Ukraine does not agree to a minerals deal with the US.

Ukraine’s continued access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in discussions between US and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned down an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to war-torn Ukraine and its military.

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The issue was raised again on Thursday during meetings between Keith Kellogg, the US special Ukraine envoy, and Zelenskyy, according to sources. Zelenskyy was told that Ukraine faced imminent shutoff of the service if it did not reach a deal on critical minerals.

One source said, “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink would be a massive blow.” Zelenskyy has rejected demands from President Donald Trump’s administration for $500 billion in mineral wealth from Ukraine to repay Washington for wartime aid, arguing that the U.S. has offered no specific security guarantees.

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However, the Ukrainian president indicated that US and Ukrainian teams are working on an agreement, and Trump said he expects a deal will be signed soon.

In 2022, Musk rushed thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace communications services destroyed by Russia’s invasion. While initially hailed as a hero in Ukraine, Musk later curtailed access at least once, becoming more critical of Kyiv’s handling of the war.

Starlink is essential for Ukraine’s operation of drones, a key pillar of its military strategy. Melinda Haring stated, “Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” noting the importance of this technology. Ukraine has a wide range of different drone capabilities, ranging from sea drones and surveillance drones to long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.

Zelenskyy rejected a detailed US proposal last week that would have seen Washington and US firms receiving 50 percent of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember