Bessent warns Zelenskyy over Starlink slowdown claims

Treasury secretary says allegations are 'reckless' and 'not true'; Trump and Musk deny involvement

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time2 min

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be 'very careful' about publicly claiming the United States is throttling the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, calling such statements 'reckless' and 'not true.' The warning comes after Zelenskyy said in an interview that he believes the U.S. government slowed Starlink and blocked intelligence sharing, a charge both President Donald Trump and Bessent deny.

Speaking on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Bessent cautioned Zelenskyy about making those claims. 'President Trump and Secretary Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that, and I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge,' Bessent said. 'President Zelenskyy should be very careful about making statements like this that aren't true.'

Zelenskyy had earlier told the same program that he believed the U.S. was responsible for a recent slowdown in Starlink service, which has been critical to Ukraine's defense. He also said Ukraine experienced a period where it was 'blocked' from U.S. intelligence.

Elon Musk, whose SpaceX operates Starlink, posted on X last week that any limits on the military version of the service, known as Starshield, are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president. 'Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,' Musk wrote. 'Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.'

President Trump also denied involvement. 'Well, I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon,' Trump said. 'And from what I understand, it's the same as it's always been.'

This story is developing.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The dispute threatens Ukraine's battlefield effectiveness, as Starlink is critical for drone operations and general connectivity.
It highlights deepening tensions between Kyiv and Washington under the Trump administration, raising questions about the reliability of U.S. support.
The controversy also puts private infrastructure provided by SpaceX at the center of a geopolitical standoff.

Background

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has been vital to Ukraine's communications and military operations since the Russian invasion in 2022. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces reported slowdowns in Starlink connectivity, prompting President Zelenskyy to publicly question whether the U.S. government was deliberately reducing performance. The current exchange marks a significant public rift between Ukrainian and U.S. officials.

Key Perspectives

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: Denied any U.S. role in throttling Starlink and warned Zelenskyy that making false accusations could damage relations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Believes the slowdown was intentional and has stated publicly that Ukraine was 'blocked from intelligence' for a period.
Elon Musk / SpaceX: Insists that any limits on Starshield, the military variant of Starlink, are set by the U.S. military and the president, not by SpaceX.
President Donald Trump: Denied ordering any slowdown and suggested no change had occurred.

What to Watch

Whether Starlink speeds return to previous levels or remain degraded.
Any further statements from Ukrainian or U.S. officials that could escalate or defuse the dispute.
The impact of this controversy on future U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Sources

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to 'be very careful' about claims U.S. is throttling Starlink · US Top News and Analysis

Checked

9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBessent warns Zelenskyy over Starlink slowdown claimsUS Top News and Analysis: “U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to 'be careful' in public statements about U.S. support for Ukraine.”
SupportedTreasury secretary says allegations are 'reckless' and 'not true'US Top News and Analysis: “I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge... President Zelenskyy should be very careful about making statements like this that aren't true.”
SupportedTrump and Musk deny involvementUS Top News and Analysis: “Well, I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon... Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
SupportedBessent said 'President Trump and Secretary Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that'US Top News and Analysis: “President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Marco] Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that, and I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge.”
SupportedZelenskyy told 'Meet the Press' he believed U.S. government slowed StarlinkUS Top News and Analysis: “In an earlier interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Zelenskyy said he believed the U.S. government was responsible for the slowdown.”
SupportedZelenskyy said Ukraine was 'blocked' from U.S. intelligenceUS Top News and Analysis: “that Ukraine was 'blocked' from U.S. intelligence for a period of time.”
SupportedStarlink is critical to Ukraine's defenseUS Top News and Analysis: “Starlink, high-speed satellite internet provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is critical to Ukraine's defense.”
SupportedMusk posted that any limits on Starshield are decided by US military and POTUSUS Top News and Analysis: “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
SupportedTrump said 'it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon'US Top News and Analysis: “Well, I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon... And from what I understand, it's the same as it's always been.”