Europe admits it cannot replace Starlink as Ukraine faces service disruptions

European leaders acknowledged they cannot quickly replace Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system, which is vital for Ukraine's military communications, after service disruptions raised concerns about Kyiv's reliance on US-controlled technology. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe lacks a short-term alternative to the network. Ukrainian officials reported slower speeds and restrictions on parts of the Starlink system this week, with some suggesting Washington was behind the limits amid tensions over attacks on Russian refineries. Musk attributed any disruption to US government decisions. European leaders, including Latvia's prime minister and the UK's defence minister, discussed strengthening continental satellite capabilities during a summit with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Investor interest in European satellite operators surged, with Eutelsat shares rising 12 per cent and SES gaining 6.7 per cent on Friday. Analysts cautioned that European systems, including the OneWeb network and IRIS² project, cannot immediately match Starlink's capabilities, though they offer complementary connectivity. Starlink has been central to Ukraine's war effort since 2022, enabling secure communications and drone operations.