Trump says Ukraine’s Starshield satellite system access is ‘back’

Finnish tech firms ICEYE and Nokia have reached a letter of intent agreement with Ukraine's Defense Ministry on October 22, signaling a collaboration to develop Ukraine's own satellite communications system. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the deal during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's visit to Kyiv, describing it as crucial for Ukraine's defense and resilience.

This follows Nokia and ICEYE's earlier plans to collaborate on broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems for governments, which aim to support national defense, emergency response services, and border security. Currently, Ukraine depends on Starlink, a service operated by US-based SpaceX, which has proven vulnerable to disruptions during conflicts.

However, the new systems developed by ICEYE and Nokia would allow nations to own their satellites, ground segment, and terminals, ensuring continuous access to mission-critical systems even if foreign governments change their policies. ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski emphasized the company's commitment to supporting Ukraine since 2022 and its proven track record of delivering sovereign missions.

Nokia Defense Chairman Mikko Hautala echoed similar sentiments, stating that the project would give Ukraine control over the connectivity it depends on.