Rubio: Musk Sets Ukraine’s Starlink Access, Not White House

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified on Wednesday that decisions regarding Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite service are governed by SpaceX and Elon Musk, not the White House. Speaking from India, Rubio stated that a private commercial contract dictates the usage and speeds allowed for the service. He was unaware that the administration was aware of the decision beforehand.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Musk had imposed restrictions on the military-grade service, citing US officials, disrupting Ukrainian offensive and interceptor drones, and causing confusion within the Trump administration. While accounts varied on the exact timing, Reuters cited multiple sources suggesting the decision ultimately originated from the White House.

President Trump denied ordering the restrictions, stating he did not believe Musk was responsible. The issue revolves around the speed at which terminals can move while maintaining connectivity, distinct from data transfer rates. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that terminal disconnections occurred at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, impacting interceptor drones.

Zelensky noted that Ukrainian specialists tested terminals at 112 miles per hour in EU territory without the same disconnections, attributing the differences to specific limitations for Ukraine. The restrictions primarily affect faster aircraft, drones used for strikes, and those relying on satellite links, while stationary ground terminals and most short-range drones remain unaffected.

Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction with Washington's failure to explain the restrictions or provide advance warnings of Russian ballistic missile attacks during a virtual meeting with US lawmakers on Monday. European governments are exploring alternatives, but EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that Europe cannot immediately replace Starlink's capabilities.