--- title: "Zelenskyy claims deliberate Starlink slowdown at the front to pressure Kyiv; Rubio rejects allegations" description: "Zelenskyy claims deliberate Starshield slowdown at the front to pressure Kyiv during talks; US Secretary of State Rubio rejects allegations, and the EU demands SpaceX restore service." date: 2026-11-12T16:24:33.808Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/starlink-slowdown-pressure-on-ukraine-negotiations tags: [starlink, starshield, ukraine-us-relations, peace-talks, spacex] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelenskyy claims deliberate Starlink slowdown at the front to pressure Kyiv; Rubio rejects allegations ![Ukrainian soldier working on a tablet near a Starlink terminal in front of a rustic house](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/starlink-zamedlenie-davlenie-na-ukrainu-pegovory/starlink-zamedlenie-davlenie-na-ukrainu-pegovory-1.webp) ## Key Points - Zelenskyy reported "systematic speed restrictions" on Starshield to 161 km/h at the front, hindering interception of Russian jet drones. - Ukrainian officials believe the slowdown is intentional pressure from Washington during peace negotiations; Kyiv has asked the US for clarification. - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the White House did not order SpaceX restrictions for the UAF; SpaceX and the US Embassy remain silent. - The EU termed the potential failures "unacceptable" and demanded SpaceX restore Starshield; the UAF access contract expires in 2027. Ukraine has accused the United States of potentially restricting the speed of Starlink satellite communications over the front line to pressure Kyiv during peace negotiations with Russia. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing Ukrainian officials. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the military has recorded "systematic speed restrictions" for the Pentagon-funded Starshield service, which significantly complicates the interception of Russian jet drones. ### "Systematic restrictions": Zelenskyy's statement The President of Ukraine emphasized that these are not random glitches but targeted restrictions. According to him, the connection speed over the front line and occupied territories has been reduced to 161 km/h (100 mph). "These are not accidental errors, but systematic speed limitations. For us, this primarily means significantly complicating the interception of Russian jet drones," Zelenskyy stated. Kyiv added that such restrictions "help Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes." ### Kyiv's version: pressure during negotiations Senior Ukrainian officials believe the communication speed was restricted intentionally to pressure Kyiv during peace talks. One official noted that Washington, in his assessment, seeks to strengthen Russia's position. These statements follow the visit of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin; they plan to head to Ireland afterward for a meeting with Zelenskyy. The President's Office has already contacted Washington to clarify the circumstances of the failures. ### US position and SpaceX silence US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the White House did not order the restriction of satellite internet services from SpaceX for the Ukrainian military, contradicting Zelenskyy's claims. According to the Financial Times, SpaceX, the White House, and the US Embassy in Ukraine have not yet commented on the situation. Previously, Ukrainian soldiers reported that the speed limits on devices began to partially disappear, although the service has not been fully restored. ### Europe's reaction and the 2027 contract issue The European Commission stated that reports of the failures are "a cause for deep concern and, if confirmed, would be unacceptable," and emphasized that SpaceX must urgently restore Starshield services for Ukraine. EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, previously warned that Starlink could lose Europe's trust due to the failure to fulfill contractual obligations funded by European nations. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, ahead of the EU leaders' summit in Dublin, stated that Europe is in a "trap," having agreed to discuss security issues in exchange for a seat at the negotiating table. Separately, it is known that the agreement with the US government regarding Ukrainian military access to the Starshield network expires in 2027, making negotiations for its extension urgent. ## Accounts differ ### Reason for Starshield speed restrictions at the front - **President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials:** Speed restrictions are systematic and intentional, designed to pressure Kyiv during peace negotiations with Russia. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-mogli-navmisno-spovilniti-starlink-tisku-1794492999.html)) - **US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:** The White House did not order the restriction of SpaceX satellite internet services for the Ukrainian military. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/crx239lpvvdno)) *Where they agree:* Ukrainian military forces recorded speed restrictions on Starshield terminals; both parties acknowledge the fact that glitches occurred. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [США могли намеренно замедлить Starlink для давления на Украину во время переговоров с РФ, - FT](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-mogli-navmisno-spovilniti-starlink-tisku-1794492999.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's statements, 161 km/h, pressure theory, Witkoff/Kushner visit, EU reaction, 2027 contract. - [Штаты могли намеренно замедлить скорость Starlink для давления на Украину – FT](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/11/12/novost/mir/shtaty-mogli-namerenno-zamedlit-skorost-starlink-davleniya-ukrainu-ft) - Supports the FT version of intentional restriction and Kyiv's outreach to the American side. - [«Это спланированная операция». Зеленский заявил, что Starlink для ВСУ замедлили намеренно, США это ...](https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/crx239lpvvdno) - Rubio's words on the lack of a White House order; 161 km/h; partial removal of restrictions. - [Рубио отверг обвинения Украины в намеренном замедлении Starlink](https://rus.delfi.lv/57862/v-mire/120139011/rubio-otverg-obvineniya-ukrainy-v-namerennom-zamedlenii-starlink) - Rubio's rejection of allegations regarding intentional satellite internet restrictions. ## FAQ ### What speed does Zelenskyy claim Starshield was restricted to at the front? To 161 km/h (100 mph) over the front line and occupied territories. ### What did US Secretary of State Marco Rubio say? Rubio stated that the White House did not order the restriction of SpaceX satellite internet services for the Ukrainian military. ### How did the European Union react? The European Commission expressed deep concern, calling the reported failures unacceptable if confirmed, and demanded SpaceX restore Starshield service for Ukraine immediately. ### When does the agreement for UAF access to Starshield expire? The agreement with the US government for Ukrainian military access to the Starshield network expires in 2027.