Europe's Starlink dependence sparks push for satellite autonomy

Ukraine's reliance on SpaceX's Starlink satellite network has reignited European concerns about strategic autonomy, as service disruptions highlighted the bloc's lack of a credible alternative. The issue was discussed Friday at a Brussels summit of EU leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Starlink connectivity was being restored after restrictions, though not at full speed. Elon Musk attributed any slowdown to US government decisions, while the White House denied ordering such measures. The disruption reportedly prevented Ukrainian drone operations at speeds over 160 km/h. Europe's planned Iris² satellite constellation, a €15 billion project, faces delays and won't operate until 2029-2030. France has taken a 29.6% stake in rival OneWeb, which serves Ukraine but is slower and costlier. The EU's Govsatcom program could also help Ukraine, as the conflict demonstrates space support is now essential for military operations.