Trump threatens to block Starlink for Ukraine if Zelensky does not accept mineral resources deal

US puts pressure on Kiev over rare earths exploitation. New tensions in international negotiations. Musk says what Reuters reported is false

The Trump administration has threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink, the satellite connection system owned by Elon Musk, if Kiev does not accept the US-proposed deal on the exploitation of its mineral resources, including oil, gas and rare earths. This is reported by the Kyiv Independent, relaying a Reuters rumour, which cites three sources informed about the ongoing negotiations.

According to the sources, the proposal was first made on 12 February by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. After the rejection by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the threat to suspend Starlink was reiterated by US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg during a meeting with Zelensky on 20 February. The Starlink system is essential for Ukraine, especially in times of conflict, so much so that it has been called a ‘North Star’ for its infrastructure.

Elon Musk strongly rejected the reports regarding the possible blocking of Starlink, accusing Reuters of spreading false information. ‘Reuters lies, there is no intention to stop Starlink,’ Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

According to an anonymous source at Sky News, Zelensky would be unwilling to sign the agreement with the US, deeming it unilaterally favourable to Washington and lacking any real guarantees for Ukraine’s security.

Donald Trump, who has called Zelensky ‘a dictator’ and accused the Ukrainian president of starting the war, has insisted that the agreement must be concluded in order to obtain additional military supplies. The Wall Street Journal reported that the agreement, planned as compensation for US military aid, could be signed soon.

On the diplomatic front, the US submitted a draft resolution to the UN which, however, does not call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine nor does it define Russia as an ‘aggressor’. This has provoked criticism, especially from European countries, which are instead calling for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces.

Despite the tensions between Trump and Zelensky, European officials have advised the Ukrainian president not to react hastily to American pressure and to carefully consider the agreement on mineral resources. According to the Washington Post, some diplomats believe that Zelensky may have acted too quickly in rejecting the proposal.

A second meeting between US and Russian representatives is scheduled in the next two weeks in a third country, according to an announcement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Meanwhile, Trump denied rumours that he would visit Russia on 9 May, on the occasion of Victory Day, calling such rumours unfounded.

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