Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked President Trump to help convince Elon Musk to expand Ukraine's access to Starlink for use in drone operations against Russian forces, according to multiple reports from the Oval Office meeting.
The request came during Zelensky's visit to Washington for the memorial service of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), where he held a closed-door session with Trump. The Associated Press and The Atlantic both confirmed the discussion, noting that Zelensky also lobbied lawmakers during his trip to broaden Starlink's availability for Ukraine's military.
Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told the Associated Press that Ukraine needs long-term Starlink access to improve the accuracy of its longer-range and intermediate-range strike systems. Starlink, controlled by Musk, provides satellite-based internet that remains operational in harsh conditions where traditional networks fail.
Musk has permitted Ukrainian use of Starlink within its territory and in some Russian-occupied areas like Crimea for strikes against Russia. However, in February, Musk banned Russia from using the service, calling it unauthorized.
Ukraine views expanded Starlink access as a strategic alternative to relying on U.S. Patriot missile systems. Zelensky had made an emergency request for those weapons in a winter package, but after Trump approved Ukrainian production of its own interceptors, Zelensky acknowledged that scaling up could take years to match U.S. output.
During his visit, Zelensky said he met with defense contractors, including representatives from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to discuss converting Ukrainian-made ballistic missiles into Patriot interceptors. This aligns with Ukraine's push for greater self-reliance in defense.
With the war now in its fifth year, a U.S. official told The Atlantic that Trump is likely to approve Zelensky's Starlink request only if it contributes to ending the conflict. The White House has not publicly commented on the specifics of the meeting.
Meanwhile, Trump's top officials, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to visit Ukraine for peace negotiations, according to a Ukrainian official speaking to The Hill. Both have faced criticism for being too deferential to Putin and naive in representing Kremlin positions, raising questions about the administration's approach.
The development comes as Trump's broader foreign policy faces scrutiny, including his Gaza disarmament plan and his handling of cyberattacks on water facilities. Zelensky's appeal underscores the delicate balance between military necessity and diplomatic leverage.
