US President Donald Trump has called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and asked him to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starlink satellite communications, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Thursday, citing US officials.
According to the report, Starlink was operating more normally shortly after the conversation between Trump and Musk. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that the service’s speed had not been fully restored.
The reported restrictions have raised concerns in Kyiv because Ukraine relies on Starlink for battlefield communications and military drone operations.
Trump Frustrated by Starlink Speed Limits
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump expressed frustration with the speed restrictions imposed on Ukraine’s access to the satellite system.
According to officials cited by the newspaper, the restrictions capped speeds at around 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometres per hour. The limits affected the performance of Ukrainian military systems that depend on Starlink connectivity.
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The report did not establish that the service had returned to full capacity following the Trump-Musk conversation.
Zelensky Seeks Talks With US Officials
Zelensky said on Thursday that Starlink speeds had not been fully restored. He also expressed hope for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the coming days.
The Ukrainian president has raised concerns about the impact of the restrictions on his country’s military capabilities, particularly its use of drones against Russian forces and its efforts to defend against aerial attacks.
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Rubio Says Starlink Access Is SpaceX’s Decision
On Wednesday, Rubio said decisions about Ukraine’s access to Starlink rested with SpaceX and Musk rather than the White House.
His remarks highlighted questions about the role of a private technology company in providing communications services that Ukraine relies on during the war.
SpaceX operates Starlink, a satellite internet network used by Ukrainian forces for communications and drone operations.
Restrictions Affected Ukrainian Drone Missions
The restrictions reportedly disrupted Ukraine’s offensive drone missions against Russia. They also affected air defence operations that rely on connected drones to intercept incoming threats.
Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink has made the service an important part of its military communications infrastructure. Any reduction in connectivity can therefore affect operations on the battlefield.
The latest developments come amid wider tensions over US support for Ukraine and the future of Washington’s role in efforts to end the war with Russia.
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The extent to which Starlink’s performance has improved remains unclear, while Ukraine continues to seek the restoration of its previous level of service.
