Morning opening: Musk suggests US government was behind Starlink restrictions
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has suggested that the US government could be behind the decision to restrict the speed of SpaceX’s satellite-technology used by Ukraine’s military.
In a post of X, he appeared to suggest the Trump administration was behind the move, which Ukraine says restricts its ability to use key defensive weapons.
Musk said:
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.
Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company.”
In further posts overnight, reacting to Zelenskyy’s comments on his relationship with Donald Trump, Musk went further and appeared to suggest Zelenskyy should leave the post, saying it’s “time to go.”
In a TV interview with Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy said he felt “betrayed” by Trump’s decisions and worried about “losing a strong partner,” playing a critical role across Ukraine’s defence.
For what it’s worth, Trump denied that his administration had cut intelligence sharing on Tuesday, but Zelenskyy said in an interview with US broadcaster NPR, aired on Wednesday, that military advisers had received threats from the US that intelligence sharing could be limited in the future.
The issue is likely to come up again today and tomorrow as EU leaders meet in Brussels for key political talks on the future.
With today’s discussions focused on the bloc’s internal matters, including the EU’s next budget, Ukraine is expected to come up on Friday when Zelenskyy joins other leaders in Brussels. But the ongoing crisis in Ukraine’s relations with the US risks overshadowing the entire meeting.
I will bring you all the updates throughout the day.
It’s Thursday, 15 October 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Starlink satellite restrictions highlight Europe’s dependency on US technology
As Ukraine reported problems with Starlink satellite internet terminals and US data that warns of Russian ballistic missile attacks, Kyiv also faced the harsh reality that its European allies cannot offer any ready-made alternatives, Reuters reported.
European countries have voiced strong support for Ukraine and Zelenskyy. But the problems with vital data highlighted that Ukraine and Europe depend heavily on US systems for both low-orbit satellite communications – provided by SpaceX via Starlink – and space-based infrared sensing that feeds into early-warning systems.
A US satellite constellation called the Space-Based Infrared System provides early missile warnings.
As for Starlink, Europe does not have a ready-made alternative that Ukrainian soldiers could attach to their drones, although European governments and companies are working on long-term options.
Shares in European satellite operator Eutelsat soared on Wednesday following news of Ukraine’s difficulties with Starshield, fuelled by investor bets that European providers could benefit from growing strains between Washington and Kyiv.
Morning opening: Musk suggests US government was behind Starlink restrictions
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has suggested that the US government could be behind the decision to restrict the speed of SpaceX’s satellite-technology used by Ukraine’s military.
In a post of X, he appeared to suggest the Trump administration was behind the move, which Ukraine says restricts its ability to use key defensive weapons.
Musk said:
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.
Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company.”
In further posts overnight, reacting to Zelenskyy’s comments on his relationship with Donald Trump, Musk went further and appeared to suggest Zelenskyy should leave the post, saying it’s “time to go.”
In a TV interview with Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy said he felt “betrayed” by Trump’s decisions and worried about “losing a strong partner,” playing a critical role across Ukraine’s defence.
For what it’s worth, Trump denied that his administration had cut intelligence sharing on Tuesday, but Zelenskyy said in an interview with US broadcaster NPR, aired on Wednesday, that military advisers had received threats from the US that intelligence sharing could be limited in the future.
The issue is likely to come up again today and tomorrow as EU leaders meet in Brussels for key political talks on the future.
With today’s discussions focused on the bloc’s internal matters, including the EU’s next budget, Ukraine is expected to come up on Friday when Zelenskyy joins other leaders in Brussels. But the ongoing crisis in Ukraine’s relations with the US risks overshadowing the entire meeting.
I will bring you all the updates throughout the day.
It’s Thursday, 15 October 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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