Trump's Starshield cut pressures Ukraine to choose elections or survival

President Donald Trump has restricted Ukraine's access to Starshield, a US satellite service vital to its military, days after calling for President Volodymyr Zelensky to step down and hold elections, raising concerns about pressure on a wartime ally. The restrictions, which emerged Wednesday, limit Ukrainian forces' use of the service that underpins defensive infrastructure and weaponry. Trump publicly admonished Zelensky, urging leadership change, with the timing suggesting deliberate undercutting to force Zelensky's departure or risk battlefield losses. The move highlights Trump's leverage over Ukraine, which relies heavily on US military and technological support. It raises questions about whether Ukraine must choose between complying with US demands for elections or maintaining its defensive capabilities against ongoing Russian aggression.