US Lawmakers Urge Trump to Expand Starlink Access for Ukraine

Twenty-three U.S. lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump urging him to ask Elon Musk to grant Ukraine full access to Starlink satellite systems for targeting Russian missile launchers. The letter was signed by seven Republicans and sixteen Democrats. The legislators argue that a single phone call from Trump could save lives and create stronger incentives for Vladimir Putin to negotiate. They emphasized that if Ukraine cannot reliably intercept Russian missiles, it should be able to target the launchers, a capability Starlink could provide. The letter comes amid growing Republican frustration over Starlink and Starshield service disruptions in Ukraine, as well as Trump's permission for Russian diesel exports. Reports indicate Musk personally ordered a slowdown of Starshield, causing panic in Kyiv and confusion within the Trump administration.