--- title: "Zelenskyy: Europe is already developing its own Starlink equivalent" description: "Zelenskyy stated that Europe is already developing its own satellite network, an equivalent to Starlink. According to him, the project was launched after the US restricted the service for the Ukrainian military." date: 2026-10-17T19:43:07.758Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/europe-develops-own-starlink-equivalent tags: [starlink, spacex, eu, satellite-communication, zelensky, ukraine] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelenskyy: Europe is already developing its own Starlink equivalent ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at a press conference in Brussels](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/17/evropa-razrabotaet-sobstvennyy-analog-starlink/evropa-razrabotaet-sobstvennyy-analog-starlink-1.webp) ## Key Points - Zelenskyy stated that Europe is already developing a satellite network, a Starlink equivalent. - According to him, the project was launched after the US restricted Starlink speed for the Ukrainian military. - The reason for the restrictions remains disputed: the White House denies involvement, Musk points to potential actions by US authorities or the Pentagon. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that European countries have already launched the process of developing their own satellite network, which could become a full-fledged equivalent to the American Starlink. The head of state told journalists about this, RBC-Ukraine reports. According to him, European states have seen from their own experience that the United States is capable of restricting the operation of the satellite service, and it was this that pushed Brussels to create an alternative. ### Europe takes on its own satellite project «Europe sees this. It is not just our concern. All of Europe has seen that the operation of Starlink can be regulated from the United States of America, regardless of agreements and contracts, and speed can be restricted. Therefore, Europeans themselves are now raising the issue of alternatives, and they are already working, they are already moving forward,” Zelenskyy emphasized. He added that, in his opinion, Europe will certainly be able to successfully implement the new project. The president recalled that European users also depend on the American satellite system and therefore cannot ignore the events that have taken place. ### Context: Starlink restrictions for the Ukrainian military The statement came against the backdrop of recent problems faced by Ukraine's Defense Forces due to restrictions on Starlink operations. Zelenskyy had previously officially confirmed that in recent days the Ukrainian military encountered problems after he asked the US to provide missiles for Patriot systems, which are necessary to protect the population from Russian attacks. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, due to the restrictions, Ukrainian interceptors were unable to destroy jet-powered Shaheds. Later it became known that the operation of the Starlink "military package" had been restored at its previous speed. ### Who is behind the restrictions: positions diverge The reason for the introduced restrictions remains a subject of contradictory statements. The White House assured the Ukrainian side that it was not involved in imposing the restrictions and explained that it does not control the activities of SpaceX. In turn, SpaceX owner Elon Musk stated that he had not made any decisions regarding Ukraine and suggested that the American authorities or the Pentagon might be involved in the restrictions. Thus, neither side assumes direct responsibility for what happened. ### What this means for Europe and Ukraine The initiative to create a European satellite equivalent turns the technical incident surrounding Starlink into a strategic project of communication sovereignty. For Ukraine, which during the war critically depends on satellite communications to coordinate actions on the front line, dependence on a single American provider has become a vulnerability. For Europe, developing its own network is a step toward reducing technological dependence on the US. In any case, as Zelenskyy emphasizes, the project is no longer at the discussion stage: according to him, Europeans "are already working" and "are already moving forward." ## Accounts differ ### Initiator of Starlink restrictions for Ukraine - **White House:** The US is not involved in imposing restrictions and does not control SpaceX's activities ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/evropa-vzhe-pratsyue-analogom-starlink-zelenskiy-1792265073.html)) - **Elon Musk (SpaceX):** He made no decisions regarding Ukraine and suggested that American authorities or the Pentagon might be involved in the restrictions ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/evropa-vzhe-pratsyue-analogom-starlink-zelenskiy-1792265073.html)) - **Volodymyr Zelenskyy:** Starlink operations can be regulated from the US regardless of agreements and contracts by restricting speed ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/evropa-vzhe-pratsyue-analogom-starlink-zelenskiy-1792265073.html)) *Where they agree:* Starlink speed restrictions for Ukrainian users were indeed introduced, as pointed out by all parties ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Европа уже работает над аналогом Starlink, - Зеленский](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/evropa-vzhe-pratsyue-analogom-starlink-zelenskiy-1792265073.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's quote on developing an equivalent in Europe, the context of Starlink restrictions, the positions of the White House and Musk, data on interceptors and Shaheds. - [Зеленский сообщил о работе ЕС над аналогом Starlink](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/10/17/29546695.shtml) - Confirms Zelenskyy's statement about the EU working on a Starlink alternative. - [Европейцы уже работают над аналогом Starlink — Зеленский](https://nv.ua/world/geopolitics/starlink-dlya-ukrainy-evropa-rabotaet-nad-analogom-posle-ogranicheniy-spacex-50650946.html) - Confirms that Europeans are working on an equivalent after speed restrictions for Ukrainian users. - [Что значит для ВСУ ограничение Starlink: «Надеяться на игру США в интересах РФ наивно»](https://fedpress.ru/article/3455951) - Context: Starlink operation for the Ukrainian military was restricted without warning, impacting drones and logistics. ## FAQ ### What did Zelenskyy say about Europe and Starlink? He stated that Europe is already developing its own satellite network, a Starlink equivalent, and that Europeans "are already working" and "are already moving forward" with this project. ### Why, according to Zelenskyy, is Europe taking on an equivalent? Because, in his words, Europe saw that the US can restrict Starlink operations regardless of agreements and contracts, and wants to create its own alternative. ### Who, according to statements, is behind the Starlink restrictions? Positions diverge: the White House denies involvement and says it does not control SpaceX, while Musk states he made no decisions and points to possible actions by US authorities or the Pentagon.