The U.S. threatens to cut off Starlink services to Ukraine.

In the United States, there is consideration of disconnecting Ukraine from the Starlink satellite internet system operated by Elon Musk's company. The administration of President Donald Trump may take this step if Kyiv refuses to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals.

This was reported by Reuters citing three sources familiar with the matter. According to them, as a form of pressure on Ukraine regarding minerals, American negotiators are contemplating the possibility of cutting off the country from Starlink.

It is noted that the continuation of Ukraine's access to Starlink was discussed in talks between American and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Busse. This was also mentioned during a meeting between U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Kurt Volker and the President of Ukraine.

The American side threatens to deprive Ukraine of the ability to use Starlink if Kyiv does not agree to sign an agreement regarding its mineral resources. This would pose a significant problem for the front.

"Ukraine relies on Starlink. It is very important for them. Losing Starlink… would be a serious blow," one of the publication's sources said.

Why Starlink is Important for the Front

It should be noted that military forces actively use Starlink communication terminals from Elon Musk's SpaceX. Without them, communication at the front would be nearly impossible.

Thanks to Starlink, coordination on the front lines is achieved, allowing for control over the operational situation. The terminals enable the military to maintain communication overall.

What is Known About the Proposed U.S. Agreement

On February 11, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine "essentially agreed" to transfer rare earth minerals to the U.S. in exchange for military assistance provided by Washington to Kyiv. The very next day, the U.S. sent Ukraine a preliminary document for a partnership agreement on mineral extraction.

According to media reports, the Trump administration proposed that Ukraine grant the United States 50% ownership of the country's rare earth mineral resources. Zelensky refused to sign this document, stating that it does not provide sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine and does not protect the interests of the state. The White House called the Ukrainian leader's decision "short-sighted."

Subsequently, the U.S. began to pressure Ukraine, attempting to compel it to sign a simplified agreement. The President's Office confirmed that work on the document is ongoing, but some points still raise questions, particularly regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.

As reported by "Telegraph," Israeli Defense Forces officer and military analyst Yigal Levin believes that if the U.S. disconnects Starlink, it would be a direct military assistance to Moscow.