In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States has reportedly threatened to sever Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system if Kyiv refuses to grant access to its vast reserves of critical minerals. According to various newsreports, U.S. officials have leveraged the vital communication network, widely used by Ukraine’s military and civilians amid the ongoing war with Russia, as a bargaining chip in a high-stakes standoff over resources such as lithium, titanium, and rare earth metals essential for advanced technology and defense manufacturing.
The dispute stems from a US proposal, initially presented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which demanded that Ukraine cede 50 per cent of its critical mineral wealth - estimated at $500 billion - as repayment for wartime aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the deal last week, arguing that the US had not provided equivalent support to justify such a claim and that the terms lacked concrete security guarantees for Ukraine. In response, US negotiators raised the possibility of cutting off Starlink, a move that could cripple Ukraine’s battlefield communications and civilian infrastructure.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, said Starlink was essential for Ukraine’s operation of drones, a key pillar of its military strategy, as reported by Reuters.
“Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” Haring said, noting that Ukraine was now at 1:1 parity with Russia in terms of drone usage and artillery shells. Ukraine has a wide range of different drone capabilities, ranging from sea drones and surveillance drones to long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, the report adds.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House and the U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. push for Ukraine’s minerals is seen as part of a broader strategy to secure domestic supplies of materials critical for semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and military hardware, reducing reliance on China. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz defended the administration’s stance, telling reporters at CPAC on Friday that a deal was “imminent” and necessary to strengthen ties with Kyiv while advancing American interests. However, critics argue the approach risks alienating a key ally at a pivotal moment in its war against Russia.
Elon Musk, whose SpaceX operates Starlink, has not commented directly on the negotiations. The system has been a lifeline for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion disrupted traditional communication networks in 2022, raising questions about the ethical implications of using it as leverage.
As talks continue, the White House and Ukraine appear to be nearing a revised agreement, though details remain unclear. The standoff underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics, resource competition, and technological dependence, with the potential to reshape U.S.-Ukraine relations, and the war’s trajectory, in the weeks ahead.