US negotiators are in talks with Kyiv regarding Ukraine’s critical minerals and have mentioned the possibility of cutting off Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, according to three sources familiar with the situation as reported by Reuters.
The discussions surrounding Ukraine’s continued access to Starlink, which is crucial for internet connectivity in the country and its military, occurred after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the sources revealed.
The issue was raised again during meetings between US special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelensky, with one of the sources stating that Ukraine was warned of a potential shutdown of the service if a deal on critical minerals was not reached soon.
Starlink has played a vital role in providing internet services to Ukraine, especially after thousands of terminals were sent by Musk to replace services that were destroyed during Russia’s invasion in February 2022. However, Musk had previously limited access to Starlink in the fall of 2022 due to concerns over Kyiv’s handling of the war.
US lawmakers have differing views on Trump’s efforts to end the Ukraine war quickly, with some questioning Musk’s actions in reducing federal workers and shutting down agencies. Melinda Haring from the Atlantic Council emphasized the importance of Starlink for Ukraine’s drone operations, highlighting its significance in the country’s military strategy.
While Zelensky and Trump have been in discussions for a potential agreement, there have been disagreements over the terms, particularly regarding the sharing of Ukraine’s critical minerals with the US. Zelensky rejected a detailed proposal that would have seen Washington and US firms receiving a significant portion of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium.
The rift between the leaders escalated when Trump criticized Zelensky, calling him “a dictator without elections” after Zelensky accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation.
Overall, the negotiations between the US and Ukraine continue, with the future of Ukraine’s access to Starlink and the sharing of critical minerals remaining key points of contention.
