--- title: "\"We pay for this\": Germany demands US lift Starlink restrictions in Ukraine" description: "German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul demanded that the US lift Starlink restrictions in Ukraine, emphasizing that Berlin finances part of the equipment. According to media reports, the order regarding the drone speed limit came from the White House." date: 2026-10-16T08:45:26.525Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/germany-demands-us-lift-starlink-restrictions-ukraine tags: [starlink, ukraine, germany, usa, defense, satellite-communications, washington, berlin] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "We pay for this": Germany demands US lift Starlink restrictions in Ukraine ![German Foreign Minister speaking at a press conference wearing a suit and tie](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/germany-demands-usa-lift-starlink-restrictions-ukraine/germany-demands-usa-lift-starlink-restrictions-ukraine-1.webp) ## Key Points - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized Starlink restrictions in Ukraine, stating that Berlin insists on the operation of the equipment it pays for. - The Ukrainian military faced a drone speed limit of 160 km/h; according to media reports, the order came from the White House. - Germany's contract to pay for the Starshield military package for Ukraine runs until April 2027. - On October 15, the restriction situation improved but was not fully lifted. - US Senator Thom Tillis called for an investigation into the Pentagon's activities regarding the imposition of restrictions. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has publicly criticized the recent restrictions imposed on the operation of the Starlink satellite system in Ukraine. According to him, Berlin finances part of the equipment that provides battlefield communications and drone control, and that is precisely why Germany insists on the full restoration of its functionality. "And therefore, we naturally insist that it works if we are paying for it. Ukraine must continue to receive full support," the German minister stated during a public appearance. ### Berlin's Financial Interest Wadephul's key argument is based on the fact that Germany is a direct payer for the Starshield military satellite communication package used by Ukraine's Defense Forces. According to available data, the contract between Berlin and the system operator runs until April 2027. Thus, the unilaterally imposed restrictions affect not only the Ukrainian side but also the financial obligations of the German state. Wadephul emphasized that Kyiv is asking for the system's operation to be restored without artificial speed limits, and Germany supports this position. ### Nature of the Imposed Restrictions In recent days, the Ukrainian military has faced significant technical restrictions: in particular, drones controlled via Starlink satellite communications could not accelerate above 160 km/h. According to media reports, the order to restrict the operation of the satellite system, used by Ukraine for combat communications and drone management, came from the White House. The Ukrainian side, in turn, demands the complete lifting of the speed limit and the restoration of standard equipment operation. ### Questions for Washington Wadephul admitted that Germany "does not have the full picture" regarding the reasons why the restrictions were introduced. At the same time, he explicitly stated that Berlin has questions for the United States on this matter and they "will be clarified." The German minister's wording indicates that diplomatic dialogue between the two capitals on this issue is at an initial stage and will likely continue in the near future. ### Current Situation and US Reaction According to RBC-Ukraine, on October 15, the situation regarding Starshield restrictions in Ukraine improved somewhat, although restrictions still remain in certain modes. Simultaneously, domestic political reaction in the US is gaining momentum: Senator Thom Tillis urged the country's authorities to launch an investigation into the Pentagon's activities related to imposing restrictions on satellite communications used by the Ukrainian military. Thus, the Starlink issue goes beyond bilateral negotiations and takes on the character of an internal American discussion about the admissibility of unilateral technical restrictions on equipment supplied to allies. ## Fact-Check & Sources - ["Мы за это платим": Германия требует от США отменить ограничения Starlink в Украине](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mi-tse-platimo-nimechchina-vimagae-vid-ssha-1792137391.html) - Primary source: Wadephul's quotes, data on the 160 km/h limit, contract until April 2027, improvement on October 15, Tillis's statement. - [Германия требует отменить ограничения на Starlink для Украины: мы платим за связь, и она должна ...](https://censor.net/ru/news/4028747/vadeful-raskritikoval-ogranicheniya-starlink-v-ukraine-i-zayavil-o-voprosah-berlina-k-ssha) - Confirms Wadephul's position on full support for Ukraine and Berlin having questions for the US. ## FAQ ### What specifically is restricted in Starlink's operation in Ukraine? According to available data, the Ukrainian military could not use drones at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. The restrictions apply to the Starshield military package used for battlefield communications and drone control. ### Who finances Starlink for Ukraine? Germany pays for the Starshield military package for the Ukrainian military. The contract is valid until April 2027. ### Who, according to media reports, introduced the restrictions? According to media reports, the order to restrict the satellite system's operation came from the White House. German Foreign Minister Wadephul stated that Berlin "does not have the full picture" of the reasons and has questions for the US. ### Has the situation changed as of October 16, 2026? According to RBC-Ukraine, on October 15, the situation regarding the restriction of Starshield's operation improved, but restrictions still remain in certain modes.