Trump's Starlink ultimatum: Pressure mounts on Ukraine resources
Representatives of the Trump administration threatened Ukraine with immediate disconnection from the Starlink satellite communication network if Kyiv did not agree to a profit-sharing deal involving Ukrainian natural resources, Reuters reports. According to the US president, Ukraine will soon comply with the White House's demands.
The agency reports, citing three informed sources, that American officials began threatening "immediate disconnection" from the satellite network when Volodymyr Zelensky refused to sign a minerals agreement during a visit by Finance Minister Scott Bessent. This threat was reportedly reiterated during Thursday's talks in Kyiv by the US envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg.
One of the agency's sources stated that disconnecting Ukraine from the network would deal a "significant blow" to the Ukrainian military.
Resources for the USA?
According to a project published by Britain's "Daily Telegraph," the initial agreement proposed that Ukraine would cede 50% of the profits from the exploitation of rare earth metals and other natural resources. The agreement also specified that any disputes would be resolved by a court in New York.
Zelensky said he refused to sign this document because it did not include any future security guarantees. According to sources including Axios, the Americans proposed a new version of the agreement.
According to President Trump and his officials, it was to be a form of repayment for the American aid provided to Ukraine. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz claimed that merely an "economic partnership" with the USA would serve as a future guarantee for Ukraine.
On Friday, Waltz and Trump expressed confidence that Ukrainians would sign the agreement in the coming days.
Trump expressed his belief that they are eager for it, emphasizing their positive outlook and the importance they place on it. He noted that even though it’s a significant matter, their support is driven by its ability to secure our presence in the country, and he reassured that our investment will be recovered.
The US president noted that the United States would gain £318 billion to £398 billion from this partnership.
The president claims that the USA has spent £239 billion to £279 billion on aid to Ukraine, although in reality, this figure is at least half that. Trump and his team also inaccurately assert that European aid to Ukraine is loan-based. They cite the example of over £40 billion in loans granted to Ukraine based on profits from frozen Russian assets. About £16 billion of this loan was granted to Ukraine by the United States, while the EU provided up to £28 billion.
