Access to reliable communication is crucial in any war. For Ukraine, Starlink satellite internet has been a lifeline, keeping military operations, hospitals, and humanitarian efforts connected.
Now, the U.S. is threatening to cut off that access unless Ukraine agrees to a minerals deal, according to Reuters.
This demand has sparked serious concerns about fairness, security, and the balance of power between allies.
U.S. officials warned that Ukraine could lose Starlink if it does not sign a deal on critical mineral resources.
The negotiations have been tense. President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected an initial proposal, leading to pressure from the U.S. government.
President Donald Trump said on February 21 that both sides are "pretty close" to an agreement.
However, sources say that Washington raised the idea of shutting off Starlink after Zelensky refused to sign a deal presented by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 12.
The proposal reportedly included U.S. control over 50% of Ukraine’s natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas.
It did not offer Ukraine any solid security guarantees in return. The threat to cut off Starlink came up again during a meeting between U.S.
Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Ukrainian officials on February 20. A source familiar with the talks said losing Starlink would be devastating.
"Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star," the source said. "Losing it would be a massive blow."
Starlink has played a key role since the early days of the war. SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, provided the terminals to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
This allowed Kyiv to maintain secure communications. Over time, Musk has become more vocal in criticizing Ukraine.
He has also pushed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides critical humanitarian aid to the country.
Trump, who has tasked Musk with cutting government spending, has also turned against Zelensky.
After the Ukrainian president rejected the minerals deal, Trump began questioning his legitimacy and downplaying his role in peace talks with Russia.
Trump previously stated that he wanted a resource deal with Ukraine in exchange for continued U.S. aid.
He later claimed Kyiv had "essentially agreed" to a $500 billion deal. The details of the revised agreement remain unclear.
On February 21, Trump insisted that Ukraine was "very happy" with the deal and that the U.S. would "get our money back."
This situation raises major concerns. Ukraine relies on Starlink for survival. Cutting off access would not only hurt Ukraine but also benefit Russia.
The negotiations over critical minerals are important, but tying them to essential wartime communication leaves Ukraine in an impossible position. The world is watching to see how this plays out.
