Zelenskyy confirms Starlink limits are still in effect, Trump responds
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Starlink speed restrictions remain in place in Ukraine. The United States has again promised to "look into the issue," according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's online address to the Hudson Institute in Washington and President Donald Trump's comments to journalists on Rapid Response 47.
Starlink restrictions remain
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had tested Starlink's performance in several areas, both in civilian settings and closer to the front line.
He noted that the maximum speed restriction remains at 161 km/h.
"We understand how to move it back and make it not limited, just technically. We hope that SpaceX and the American administration will do it, because we count on such a decision," Zelenskyy said.
Trump's response
Later, journalists asked Trump what he thought about Zelenskyy's statement regarding Starlink's reduced speed.
"I haven't heard that, but I'll look into it," Trump said.
He also said he hadn't yet spoken with Elon Musk but would if necessary, adding that he had heard the issue was resolved.
Trump does not believe Musk has enormous influence on the war of Russia against Ukraine, referring to Starlink's operations.
"First of all, he's a very good person. He's not going to do anything wrong. He's a very brilliant person, or Starlink wouldn't exist and other things, okay? He's a fair person," Trump said.
Trump noted that dealing with private companies was unusual.
"But Elon will never do anything wrong," the US president added.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that manipulation of the Starlink satellite system in Ukraine poses risks and highlights the dangers of relying on US technology, according to a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In addition, restrictions on military Starlink operations in Ukraine remain in place despite Trump's claim that they had been lifted, according to Zelenskyy's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.
Trump also said on October 22 that SpaceX owner Elon Musk had lifted speed restrictions on the military version of Starlink in Ukraine.
