White House ordered Pentagon to throttle Ukraine's Starshield access

Ukraine is actively seeking European alternatives to US-made air defence systems and Starlink satellite communications, with early discussions underway, according to a senior presidential official. Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, revealed that Ukraine is looking to lessen its dependence on American capabilities due to uncertainty surrounding Washington's support, which is putting pressure on Europe to bolster its own defences.

The official confirmed that talks between defence companies have progressed, with Ukraine aiming to take a leading role in developing a European air defence system. Kyiv is also engaged in negotiations for a European equivalent to Starlink. Both projects, according to Zhovkva, are essential for both Ukraine's defence and Europe's overall security.

The official emphasized that Ukraine has a clear timeline for these developments, asserting that they will be completed much faster than previous estimates. With tensions escalating between Kyiv and Washington, including disagreements over the pressure exerted by US President Donald Trump on Ukraine to halt strikes against Russian oil infrastructure, securing additional air defence systems and interceptor missiles is among Zelenskyy's key priorities at the upcoming EU summit.

While European support has been substantial, it still lags behind Ukraine's needs, and the official stressed the importance of maintaining existing military commitments while also securing further European financial assistance. Zhovkva argued that European security guarantees should be the cornerstone of Ukraine's long-term security arrangements, highlighting the importance of a strong army, joint defence production, and EU membership.

However, he acknowledged that European guarantees alone are insufficient and that US support is still crucial. Despite the growing tensions with Washington, Zhovkva affirmed Ukraine's willingness to engage in negotiations, emphasizing that Europe must be part of the discussions as Ukraine seeks to ensure its long-term security.