US has been pressuring Kyiv to grant American firms access to Ukraine&rsquo;s rare earth mineral reserves, even raising the possibility of cutting off Elon Musk&rsquo;s Starlink satellite internet service, news agency Reuters reported.
Starlink, owned by Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX, is a vital communications tool for Ukraine, particularly its military operations.
The sources told Reuters that the issue was first raised after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's initial proposal.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-dismisses-ukranian-president-zelensky-ukraine-peace-talks-russia-ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-8744952" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;He's not important&rsquo;: Trump dismisses Zelensky&rsquo;s role in Ukraine talks, says war wasn&rsquo;t &lsquo;Russia&rsquo;s&nbsp;fault&rsquo;</a>
<h2>US officials warned of &lsquo;imminent shutoff&rsquo;</h2>
According to a source familiar with the talks, the matter resurfaced during discussions on Thursday (Feb 20) between US special envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelensky. Ukraine was allegedly warned that Starlink access could be cut off if it did not agree to a mineral deal.
"Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink ... would be a massive blow," one source said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-zelensky-will-sign-minerals-deal-soon-after-rejection-why-does-trump-want-ukraines-rare-earths-8744807" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">US says Zelensky will sign minerals deal 'soon' after rejection: Why does Trump want Ukraine's&nbsp;'rare&nbsp;earths'?</a>
<h2>Zelensky rejects US demand for $500 billion in minerals</h2>
The Trump administration reportedly sought $500 billion worth of Ukraine&rsquo;s mineral wealth as repayment for US aid. However, Zelensky refused, citing a lack of security guarantees.
The US proposal would have given Washington and American companies control over 50% of Ukraine&rsquo;s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium, key resources for electric vehicle batteries and defence applications.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extensive-and-productive-us-envoy-kellogg-praises-talks-with-courageous-leader-zelensky-8744537">'Extensive and productive': US envoy Kellogg praises talks with 'courageous leader' Zelensky</a>
<h2>Growing rift between Trump and Zelensky</h2>
The mineral dispute has deepened tensions between Trump and Zelensky. On Wednesday, Trump called the Ukrainian leader &ldquo;a dictator without elections&rdquo; after Zelensky suggested Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation after US President claimed that Ukraine had started the war.
Despite the earlier rejection, the White House announced on Friday (Feb 21) that Ukraine would soon sign an agreement granting the US access to its mineral resources.
&ldquo;Look, here&rsquo;s the bottom line: President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term. And that is good for Ukraine,&rdquo; Trump&rsquo;s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-ukraines-zelensky-really-a-dictator-without-elections-trumps-claim-vs-the-reality-of-wartime-voting-8744345">Is Ukraine's Zelensky really a 'dictator without elections'? Trump&rsquo;s claim vs. the reality of wartime voting</a>
<h2>Starlink&rsquo;s role in Ukraine&rsquo;s defence</h2>
Since Russia&rsquo;s invasion in February 2022, Musk has supplied thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, ensuring military and civilian communication remains operational despite Russian attacks on infrastructure.
&ldquo;Losing Starlink would be a game changer,&rdquo; Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council told Reuters, pointing out that Ukraine has reached a 1:1 parity with Russia in drone and artillery usage. 
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Musk has supplied thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, ensuring military and civilian communication remains operational despite Russian attacks on infrastructure.

US has been pressuring Kyiv to grant American firms access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral reserves, even raising the possibility of cutting off Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, news agency Reuters reported. Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, is a vital communications tool for Ukraine, particularly its military operations. The sources told Reuters that the issue was first raised after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's initial proposal. Also read: ‘He's not important’: Trump dismisses Zelensky’s role in Ukraine talks, says war wasn’t ‘Russia’s fault’ US officials warned of ‘imminent shutoff’ According to a source familiar with the talks, the matter resurfaced during discussions on Thursday (Feb 20) between US special envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelensky. Ukraine was allegedly warned that Starlink access could be cut off if it did not agree to a mineral deal. "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star. Losing Starlink ... would be a massive blow," one source said. Also read: US says Zelensky will sign minerals deal 'soon' after rejection: Why does Trump want Ukraine's 'rare earths'? Zelensky rejects US demand for $500 billion in minerals The Trump administration reportedly sought $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s mineral wealth as repayment for US aid. However, Zelensky refused, citing a lack of security guarantees. The US proposal would have given Washington and American companies control over 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium, key resources for electric vehicle batteries and defence applications. Also read: 'Extensive and productive': US envoy Kellogg praises talks with 'courageous leader' Zelensky Growing rift between Trump and Zelensky The mineral dispute has deepened tensions between Trump and Zelensky. On Wednesday, Trump called the Ukrainian leader “a dictator without elections” after Zelensky suggested Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation after US President claimed that Ukraine had started the war. Despite the earlier rejection, the White House announced on Friday (Feb 21) that Ukraine would soon sign an agreement granting the US access to its mineral resources. “Look, here’s the bottom line: President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term. And that is good for Ukraine,” Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Also read: Is Ukraine's Zelensky really a 'dictator without elections'? Trump’s claim vs. the reality of wartime voting Starlink’s role in Ukraine’s defence Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Musk has supplied thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, ensuring military and civilian communication remains operational despite Russian attacks on infrastructure. “Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council told Reuters, pointing out that Ukraine has reached a 1:1 parity with Russia in drone and artillery usage. (With inputs from agencies)

'No minerals, no internet': US may cut Ukraine’s access to Musk's Starlink over rare earth deal

Billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday said that Starlink has not received any funding from the US Department of Defense. This comes a day after Pentagon was reported to consider funding the internet services in Ukraine. "No money from DoD, but several other countries, orgs &amp; individuals are paying for ~11k/25k terminals," Musk said.

Musk has said that SpaceX spends nearly $20 million a month for maintaining satellite services in Ukraine. This is in addition to the $80 million that has been spent to enable and support Starlink there.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-makes-u-turn-says-funding-would-continue-for-starlink-in-ukraine-525748">Elon Musk makes U-turn, says funding would continue for Starlink in Ukraine</a>

SpaceX is losing approximately $20 million a month from unpaid service and costs related to security measures for cyberwar defense, but "we'll keep doing it (sigh)", Musk tweeted.

Politico had reported on Monday that Pentagon is considering funding the services in Ukraine. However, no official word on the same has been said yet. Last week, SpaceX had said that it might have to shut the services in Ukraine as it cannot bear the cost any more. The next day, Musk also stated the same, saying that the costs are getting too much to bear and the company will have to pull the plug.

He later said that he will continue to fund the services himself.

The matter was made bigger by the fact that a Ukraine official had criticised Musk for offering a solution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Musk's statement about stopping services came after this and it was assumed that his actions were in reaction to the Ukraine official. He even posted a sly tweet about the same.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday said that Starlink has not received any funding from the US Department of Defense. This comes a day after Pentagon was reported to consider funding the internet services in Ukraine.

Billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday said that Starlink has not received any funding from the US Department of Defense. This comes a day after Pentagon was reported to consider funding the internet services in Ukraine. "No money from DoD, but several other countries, orgs & individuals are paying for ~11k/25k terminals," Musk said. Musk has said that SpaceX spends nearly $20 million a month for maintaining satellite services in Ukraine. This is in addition to the $80 million that has been spent to enable and support Starlink there. Also Read | Elon Musk makes U-turn, says funding would continue for Starlink in Ukraine SpaceX is losing approximately $20 million a month from unpaid service and costs related to security measures for cyberwar defense, but "we'll keep doing it (sigh)", Musk tweeted. Politico had reported on Monday that Pentagon is considering funding the services in Ukraine. However, no official word on the same has been said yet. Last week, SpaceX had said that it might have to shut the services in Ukraine as it cannot bear the cost any more. The next day, Musk also stated the same, saying that the costs are getting too much to bear and the company will have to pull the plug. He later said that he will continue to fund the services himself. The matter was made bigger by the fact that a Ukraine official had criticised Musk for offering a solution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Musk's statement about stopping services came after this and it was assumed that his actions were in reaction to the Ukraine official. He even posted a sly tweet about the same. (With inputs from agencies)

Musk says he hasn't received any funding from Pentagon for Starlink services in Ukraine

spacex-starlink

Spacex Starlink, News on Spacex Starlink, stories on Spacex Starlink, articles on Spacex Starlink, Spacex Starlink stories at Wion, Spacex Starlink news, Spacex Starlink latest news

spacex starlink

'No minerals, no internet': US may cut Ukraine’s access to Musk's Starlink over rare earth deal

Musk says he hasn't received any funding from Pentagon for Starlink services in Ukraine