The United States has reportedly threatened to cut Ukraine's access to critical Starlink satellite internet service if Kyiv does not agree to a proposed minerals deal, according to three sources familiar with ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
The threat emerged during Thursday's meetings between Keith Kellogg, US special envoy to Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, one source told Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of closed-door talks.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provides essential internet connectivity to Ukraine and its military forces amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The minerals agreement, which remains under negotiation, centers around US demands for $500 billion worth of Ukrainian mineral resources as repayment for wartime assistance. Zelenskyy publicly rejected these terms on Wednesday, noting that US aid has not reached anywhere near that amount and lacks specific security guarantees.
"Ukrainian and US teams are working on a draft agreement," Zelenskyy said Friday. "I am hoping for a fair result."
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicated Zelenskyy was expected to sign a deal soon, while former President Donald Trump predicted an agreement would be reached "in the next fairly short period of time."
The standoff over minerals access comes amid heightened tensions between the allies, as Ukraine seeks continued support for its defense against Russian forces while navigating complex diplomatic and economic pressures from its biggest military backer.
Neither the White House nor Ukrainian officials have publicly commented on the specific Starlink-related discussions reported by Reuters' sources.