Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that new restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink satellite services will result in loss of life, as his government grapples with the fallout from the Trump administration's shifting stance on the war.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Zelensky described the slowdown of Starlink services as a “big mistake,” saying, “People will die, of course, if attacks will continue and if Starlink will not work … it's not helpful.” He expressed hope that the limitation was merely a technical error, suggesting it could be “maybe a huge technical problem” at SpaceX.
A source familiar with the matter told The Hill that Starlink connectivity was cut off for objects traveling faster than 100 miles per hour, which directly impacts Ukraine's drones, airplanes, and helicopters. This disruption follows Trump's intelligence sharing call and the broader pressure campaign, including the administration's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel amid high fuel costs.
When pressed by Morgan on whether he felt “betrayed” by President Trump's dealings with Russia, Zelensky replied, “Really, yes.” He added, “It's more complicated than just my emotions or just my feelings. Yes, it depends not on me. Our country has to survive.”
The Ukrainian leader lamented that Ukraine is losing the United States as a “strong partner” in its military operations against Russia, which have now lasted more than four years. “It's not about business for us,” he said. “It's just our life, and this is our country, it's our body, our home, our children and this is very important for us.”
Zelensky also addressed Trump's position directly, saying, “That's why it's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side, but we are OK that he's in the middle. But if you're in the middle, you have to stay in the middle. Not on the wrong side … This is not [the] right side of history.”
The Starlink limitations have already disrupted Ukraine's drone operations, according to officials, and come on top of the administration's threats to cut off intelligence sharing. The diesel sanctions lift has also drawn bipartisan criticism, with Zelensky blasting Trump as 'weak' over the move.
The Hill has reached out to the White House and SpaceX for comment. Morgan's full interview with Zelensky is set to air Wednesday evening.
