Goodbye, Starlink? EU plans satellite communications alternative for Ukraine – European Commission
The European Commission plans to give Ukraine access to its secure Govsatcom satellite communications system in early 2027, when commercial capacity is added, Commission spokesperson Thomas Régnier said on Oct. 15.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to step down, amid growing tensions over Ukraine's military communication capabilities during the ongoing war. Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused the United States of aiding Russia by allegedly withholding crucial missile strike warnings and obstructing Kyiv's military response through alterations to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system, which the country relies on for communication.
In a statement on X, X Musk wrote, "Time for Zelensky to go." However, Zelensky dismissed Musk's assertion, stating that the responsibility for any disruptions to Starlink lay with the US government. The billionaire differentiated between Starshield, a system used for battlefield communications under US government control, and Starlink, a civilian satellite system Ukrainians are allowed to use but not for offensive operations.
This dispute follows Zelensky's recent acknowledgment of feeling betrayed after US President Donald Trump announced a diesel supply deal with Russia, a country heavily sanctioned by the US. A senior Ukrainian official also alleged that the US had recently threatened to cease providing intelligence on Russian missile launches, information Ukraine uses to defend against attacks. Trump, currently facing crucial midterm elections, has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for fuel price hikes and supply shortages.
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