During their White House meeting this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene with Elon Musk to grant Ukraine's drone operators access to Starlink satellite internet within Russia, according to a report in The Atlantic. Zelensky argued that Starlink is the most advanced technology for guiding drones and would allow Ukraine to target mobile missile launchers, critical for surviving the winter without additional Patriot missiles. Trump did not commit to the request, and it remains unclear whether the plan will advance.
The Atlantic reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this week to request that Trump intervene with Elon Musk to grant Ukraine's drone operators access to the Starlink satellite network within Russian territory. According to the report, Zelensky argued that Starlink is the most advanced technology for guiding drones, and that while Ukraine can already target large fixed targets like refineries, it needs Starlink to successfully hit mobile missile launchers inside Russia. He presented this as Ukraine's best path to survive the winter without additional Patriot missile systems, which the U.S. has been unable to supply in sufficient numbers. Trump did not commit to the request, and the report notes it is unclear whether the plan will advance.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at the White House, was previously reported to have focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, including potential licensed production of Patriot interceptors in Ukraine. This new report suggests that the Starlink request was a central component of Zelensky's strategy. The Zioneer has previously reported on Zelensky's requests for 300 Patriot missiles and on Trump's stated intention to have U.S. defense firms build Patriot production lines in Ukraine and Europe.
- StrongZelensky reportedly consulting with Trump envoys on request for 300 Patriot missiles
- StrongZelensky says Trump decided to grant Ukraine Patriot missile production licenses
- DevelopingUkraine launches over 390 drones at Moscow overnight, mayor says, hours before Zelensky-Trump meeting
- DevelopingZelensky says Trump intends to have US defense firms build Patriot missile production lines in Ukraine and Europe
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