Elon Musk shifts responsibility to Trump over satellite restrictions affecting Ukraine
Elon Musk on Wednesday sought to distance himself from the satellite communications restrictions over Ukraine that have disrupted Kyiv's military operations, suggesting that US President Donald Trump is ultimately behind any changes. There has been growing tension between Washington and Kyiv after Mr Trump's agreement with President Vladimir Putin to resume buying Russian diesel, which critics…
Elon Musk clarified on Wednesday that the satellite communications restrictions impacting Ukraine are ultimately decided by the US military and, consequently, President Donald Trump. Musk differentiated between Starlink, owned by SpaceX, and Starshield, a US government-owned military subsidiary. The latter's operations are controlled by the US military, with any speed or usage limitations being determined by them.
Musk stated that Starlink's usage is confined to civilian or defensive activities, and is inappropriate for offensive military actions as it would be against SpaceX's commercial principles. However, the exact steps by which SpaceX implemented these restrictions remain unclear. Both SpaceX and the White House declined to provide immediate comment on the matter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused both the US President and Musk of intentionally restricting Ukraine's military access to the satellite technology, deepening the rift between Washington and Kyiv. The White House did not directly address Zelenskyy's accusations, but it was reported that the US is considering the possibility of cutting US intelligence assistance to Ukraine, which is crucial for early warning of Russian missile launches.
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