Key facts
- Trump asked Musk to lift Starlink restrictions for Ukraine, WSJ reported.
- Ukrainian officials deny reports of Starlink restoration.
- Starlink speed cap of 161 kph remains in place, limiting military operations.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated SpaceX controls Starlink access decisions.
US President Donald Trump contacted Elon Musk, urging him to remove restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starlink, according to the Wall Street Journal. The satellite internet system reportedly began operating more normally shortly after the conversation, though some Ukrainian officials indicated it was not fully restored. Trump expressed frustration that Starlink's speeds remained capped at around 161 kilometers per hour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Starlink speeds had not been restored and expressed hope for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio had previously stated that decisions regarding Ukraine's access to Starlink were solely up to SpaceX and Musk, not the White House. Ukraine utilizes Starlink for battlefield communications and drone operations, and restrictions on the service had hampered its drone missions against Russia.