Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thinks Elon Musk might be open to changing his mind about letting Ukraine use Starlink over Russian territory. Musk has so far resisted, seeing it as an escalation, but Zelensky is hopeful that with the right arguments, the billionaire could come around.
"So far, (Elon Musk) has said that this constitutes an escalation," Zelensky told reporters on Saturday, according to the Kyiv Independent. "However, he may change his mind once he sees further arguments."
The idea is that expanded Starlink coverage could weaken "precisely those capabilities that Russia is relying on to drag out the war." Ukraine wants to use Starlink-enabled drones to keep reliable links during strikes on Russian military targets.
Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that Zelensky had asked President Donald Trump to help get Musk's approval. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said Ukraine wants Starlink access so its longer-range systems can be "more accurate." Trump didn't commit to the request.
This push comes after a big shift in Starlink's role on the battlefield this year. In February, Ukraine and SpaceX blocked unauthorized terminals used by Russian forces inside Ukraine through a whitelist system. Reuters reported widespread communications problems among Russian units afterward, while Ukraine continues to use tens of thousands of Starlink connections for battlefield communications and some attack drones.
Musk later broadened Starlink's permitted Ukrainian use, with a person familiar with the move saying SpaceX's instruction was, "No limits. Take off the gloves; use Starlink for anything to help Ukraine."
MarketDash reached out to SpaceX for a statement on Zelensky's comment but didn't get an immediate response.
Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recently credited SpaceX with protecting Ukrainian air defenses and saving civilian lives. Musk responded, "Trying to do the right thing. I hope there is peace soon."
Still, Musk has resisted extending coverage into Russia. Zelensky said an earlier misunderstanding complicated talks after Ukraine's Defense Ministry told him SpaceX had approved such use. Zelensky raised it with Trump, only to learn Musk hadn't agreed.
"He said that I had supposedly deceived him," Zelensky recalled. Musk considered the proposed expansion a dangerous escalation, Zelensky said.
Zelensky said Kyiv and Trump administration officials continue engaging Musk and are receiving "different, more encouraging feedback."
Meanwhile, Russia has accelerated its Starlink-like Rassvet satellite network. Rassvet currently has 16 satellites, with Moscow targeting 292 by 2027 and 924 by 2035. Ukrainian intelligence says a completed constellation could eventually operate "like Starlink."
"I treat this as just another challenge," Zelensky said.
