The European Commission has officially appealed to SpaceX, urging the company to urgently and fully restore the operation of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine. Speaking at a briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson for defense and space Thomas Renier stated that the functioning of this communication is of critical importance for both frontline needs and civilian users. According to him, recent reports of slowed Starlink services in Ukraine "raise deep concern" and do not match how the company previously provided these services.
Call from Brussels
"SpaceX must urgently and fully restore services for Ukraine," Renier emphasized, pointing out the critical need for satellite communications for military and civilian purposes. The statement was made at a regular European Commission briefing and conveyed to Ukrainian media citing the EU official. Thus, Brussels has moved from observational rhetoric to a direct public demand directed at a private American company.
Why Speed Is Critical
According to sources from Radio Liberty, Ukraine needs to restore unlimited speed for Starlink, or at the very least raise the current limit to 450 km/h. The current restriction of 160 km/h, estimated by these sources, is insufficient to effectively counter Russian-type Shahed jet drones. It is this technical parameter, rather than simply the presence of connection, that becomes a key factor for the operation of military infrastructure.
Who Pays and Until When
The contract for providing the Starlink service to Ukraine is valid until April 2027. According to available data, the financing of these expenses is borne by Germany. This means that even with diplomatic pressure from Brussels, the actual management of speed and service parameters remains in the hands of the operator, SpaceX, which explains the nature of the European Commission's demands.
Washington's Position
Against the backdrop of European statements, the United States has also outlined its position. Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick stated that an investigation must be conducted regarding the slowdown of military Starlink for Ukraine, as he claims such actions by Elon Musk violate the law. At the same time, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth emphasized that Washington gave no directives to restrict Starlink's operation for Ukraine, shifting responsibility for service parameters to the company.
Dynamics of Official EU Rhetoric
The shift in the tone of official comments deserves special attention. Last week, the European Commission commented on the disruptions of Starlink in Ukraine more cautiously, noting the lack of clear confirmation from the Ukrainian president. Now, according to the EU official, the situation has changed: confirmation has been received, and it was this that allowed Brussels to move to a direct demand for the full restoration of services. Thus, the escalation of EU rhetoric is directly linked to the appearance, in their assessment, of verified data regarding the service slowdown.
