Trump lifts Starlink speed caps for Ukraine after Musk call

President Donald Trump lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of the Starlink satellite system, which had hampered its ability to intercept Russian missiles, after calling SpaceX chief Elon Musk on Wednesday and expressing frustration that speeds were capped at 100 miles per hour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday the connection remained limited, and battlefield reports suggested speeds had not fully recovered, with a Ukrainian official stating "nothing has changed anywhere" and defense analyst Michael Kofman noting Starshield still cut out for units above 160kmh. The restrictions began after Trump struck a deal to buy Russian diesel and berated Zelensky for attacking refineries, and the decision's origin—whether from the White House or SpaceX—remains contested, with Senator Richard Blumenthal launching an investigation into the degradation.