Ukraine seeks to begin negotiations with the U.S. as soon as possible on a new contract for the use of the Starshield military satellite network (a specialized military version operating on the basis of Starlink), as the current agreement expires in mid-2027. The issue of future access to the system arose amid recent satellite communication restrictions and a new escalation of the public dispute between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and SpaceX owner Elon Musk.
Reuters reported on the contract's expiration, citing Ukraine's chargé d'affaires in the U.S., Denys Senik, who spoke to journalists in Washington on November 5.
According to the diplomat, Ukraine's current contract with the U.S. government for Starshield access expires approximately in the middle of next year. Time is needed to agree on a new deal, so Kyiv is interested in starting negotiations now.
Senik explained that the Ukrainian side seeks to get a clear understanding from Washington about the prospects for continued cooperation and future terms of use for the system.
He did not name the cost of a new agreement or the specific term for which Ukraine would like to extend Starshield access.
At the same time, in a conversation with Breaking Defense, whose journalists were also present at the meeting, Senik specified that Ukraine is in the early stages of negotiations with Pentagon representatives.
According to him, Kyiv hopes to agree on the terms of a future agreement and secure the necessary funding. The diplomat acknowledged that Ukraine currently has no equally effective alternative to SpaceX's satellite network.
The Ukrainian side is also exploring backup solutions, including its own developments and European satellite communication projects. Senik stressed that the availability of alternative communication channels is necessary to reduce the risks of dependence on a single provider.
Reasons for October Starshield restrictions remain unclear
The need for a new contract became especially urgent after satellite communication problems arose in Ukraine in October.
Then, Ukrainian military reported sudden speed restrictions in the Starshield system. According to Reuters, the changes complicated the use of some drone systems and the execution of defense tasks.
Senik said Ukraine sought explanations from the Pentagon, the White House, and SpaceX, but received no answer regarding the reasons for the restrictions.
According to him, the system's operation has already been restored, but the Ukrainian side seeks to prevent such situations from recurring.
Starshield is SpaceX's military satellite system that the company provides to the U.S. government. It differs from the commercial Starlink service, which is intended for a wide range of users.
Earlier, Musk claimed that decisions to restrict Starshield were made by U.S. government agencies. Meanwhile, SpaceX confirmed implementing restrictions on the use of commercial Starlink in certain military operations.
Musk shares post criticizing initial aid to Ukraine
Amid the discussion about Starshield's future, Elon Musk on November 5 reposted a message from the Whole Mars Catalog account, which called SpaceX's decision to provide Ukraine with satellite internet at the start of the full-scale invasion a mistake.
The post's author claimed that the company handed over thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine and provided free maintenance, spending millions of dollars monthly.
In his opinion, the technology initially provided to give civilians internet access later became the basis of communication for combat drones. The author also complained that the company is criticized when it restricts military use of its services.
Musk shared the post on his own account but did not accompany it with a separate statement about ending cooperation with Ukraine or refusing a new contract. Thus, the repost is not evidence of any SpaceX decision regarding Starshield's future.
The Whole Mars Catalog message was in response to Zelenskyy's words from an interview with German broadcaster ZDF circulated on X.
In a conversation with ZDF journalist Jan Böhmermann, the President of Ukraine expressed concern about the excessive concentration of political and financial influence in the hands of one person.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is grateful to SpaceX for help with satellite communications at the beginning of the war, but disagrees with Musk's position on the Russian invasion.
Earlier, on October 15, Musk already publicly called on Zelenskyy to step down as president amid a dispute over satellite communication restrictions.
Later, the SpaceX owner claimed that the Ukrainian military allegedly used commercial Starlink for strike operations contrary to the terms of service. Ukrainian officials denied the accusations, explaining that the technical limitations of the civilian system did not allow it to be used in the way Musk described.
Despite public disagreements, Ukraine continues to count on cooperation with the U.S. in military satellite communications.
As Senik emphasized, Kyiv hopes to agree on a new contract before the current agreement ends. The sides still need to agree on terms and funding sources for future cooperation.
Based on materials from: Reuters, Breaking Defense
