US sends mixed signals on Ukraine's Starshield access limits

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Ukraine's access to the Starshield satellite system had been restored after Kyiv reported limitations, but a European official said restrictions remained in place as of Thursday. Trump administration officials and allies have blamed each other for the slowdown, which affected Ukraine's drone operations and communications. The Pentagon and State Department denied involvement, while Vice President JD Vance suggested SpaceX owner Elon Musk had discretion over the private system. Musk stated Starshield is controlled by the US government, while Starlink is commercial. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine received no explanation for the restrictions, and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal announced an inquiry into the matter.