Ukraine is exploring new military satellite communications with Norway as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks partners, while U.S. President Donald Trump denied involvement in restrictions affecting Starlink service on the front.
Zelenskyy said Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he and Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik discussed starting work on new satellite communication capabilities for Ukrainian forces. He said Ukraine would involve partners able to support the effort.
Zelenskyy said Monday, Oct. 19, that Ukrainian forces still faced speed restrictions on Starlink and Starshield in parts of the front. Trump told a reporter Wednesday, “I was not involved,” and said he did not know who ordered the change, CNBC reported.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter, that SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk ordered the slowdown. The Journal said Musk and Trump discussed it after the change became public last week. It also reported that one person familiar with the matter said Musk had spoken with Trump and other senior administration officials before the cap took effect. EconoTimes previously covered the Journal's account of the reported limit.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Oct. 21 that neither Trump nor another administration official had requested a change. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had issued no directive and that Starlink could make decisions under its terms of service.
Musk wrote on X last week that the U.S. government owns and controls Starshield. He said the U.S. military decides its speed and usage limits, with the president ultimately holding authority.
