Europe must tackle dependency on Starlink, say EU leaders

EU leaders convened Friday to discuss Ukraine's heavy reliance on Starlink satellite communications, as the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, experienced disruptions to the US-owned system. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that Europe lacks a readily available alternative to SpaceX's technology, which is crucial for Ukraine's battlefield communications and mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit, where the issue of Starlink dependence will be a priority. Ukraine utilizes both Starshield, a military-grade satellite service, and Starlink's civilian satellite system, but not for offensive operations. Musk has expressed varying opinions on Ukraine's use of Starlink since Russia's invasion in 2022.

Kallas emphasized that EU Defence Agency had identified the critical capabilities Europe currently lacks, urging for their rapid development. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs highlighted the urgency of building Europe's defensive capacities, stating that while they have Starlink, it is not enough to match Ukraine's needs. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten discussed the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the need for Europeans to provide more such services in the foreseeable future.

British Defence Minister Wes Streeting also talked to US counterpart Pete Hegseth about Starlink, expressing reassurance after the service was restored. The cause of the service interruption remains unclear, but Ukrainian officials suggested it may be due to Washington.