Ukraine's Starshield contract with US expires next year, Kyiv seeks talks

Ukraine's contract with the US government for access to the Starshield satellite network expires next year, and Kyiv is urgently seeking to begin negotiations on a new agreement, a senior Ukrainian diplomat said Thursday. The Starshield service faced sudden speed limitations last month, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones and forcing some operations to be cancelled. Denys Sienik, Ukraine's chargé d'affaires in Washington, said Kyiv received no explanation from the US or SpaceX, which provides the military service. The issue adds to recent strains in Ukraine-US relations, including intelligence gaps and delays in missile system resupply. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked SpaceX for connectivity but criticized Elon Musk's views on the war, while US lawmakers have promised to investigate aid to Ukraine.