Missile defence, Starlink support: Zelenskyy holds 'substantive' talks with Rubio amid Trump’s Russia shift

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he held a "substantive" conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on ballistic missile defence, early warning of Russian attacks and the restoration of Starlink or Starshield services, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its defences amid diplomatic efforts to end the war.Zelenskyy said the two sides discussed interceptors needed to counter Russian ballistic missiles, advance warnings of incoming attacks and the situation surrounding satellite services used by Ukraine’s military. They agreed to speak again soon for an update."I spoke with Marco Rubio, and it was substantive – on the issues that matter. I am grateful for the readiness to help and the clear position. First, interceptors against ballistic missiles, which are needed to protect lives. Second, early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, which is vital. Third, the situation surrounding Starlink/Starshield, which needs to be restored. Of course, all this is taking place against the backdrop of our diplomatic efforts to end this terrible war and the constant killing of people. We agreed to get in touch again soon for an update. Thank you, Marco, for being constructive! Thank you to everyone in America who supports fair approaches!"Zelenskyy shared the statement on social media on October 20.Starlink restrictions and missile warningsThe conversation comes amid concerns in Kyiv over disruptions to satellite support for Ukraine’s military and the availability of early warnings about Russian attacks.Starshield, a military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, supports Ukraine’s drone operations and communications. Zelenskyy has said speed restrictions have affected Ukrainian drones’ ability to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said Starshield is controlled by the US, with restrictions decided by the military and ultimately President Donald Trump. Trump, however, said he had not ordered restrictions and doubted that Musk had done so.Rubio said on Saturday that Ukraine wanted access to Starshield but did not have it. On Monday, he said the Pentagon controlled the system, adding that "Ukraine has benefited from it” and wants to expand its use for attacks beyond its territory. The US military has not publicly responded to questions about its role in the restrictions.Zelenskyy also said Kyiv had again received no early warning from partners, including the US, ahead of recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.“Russia killed six people, including a mother and her child, who was just over a year old,” Zelenskyy said on X, adding that this "is how Russia responds to sanctions waivers and reduced pressure.”Trump and Rubio have maintained that Washington has not stopped providing intelligence to Kyiv to help it counter Russian attacks.US-Ukraine ties face fresh strainThe talks come as relations between Washington and Kyiv face renewed strain over the Trump administration’s approach to Russia and its support for Ukraine.Trump has recently rejected new sanctions on Russia and indicated he was open to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on ending the war. Asked whether he would negotiate an end to the conflict without Zelenskyy, Trump said: “I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.”The administration has also faced criticism over its decision to waive sanctions on Russia under legislation passed by Congress to restrict financial resources supporting Moscow’s war effort. A separate announcement on a deal to import Russian diesel fuel has drawn criticism from lawmakers who say it could benefit Russia without lowering global fuel prices.Former US ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said Washington’s policy towards Moscow and Kyiv appeared to be at a low point.“At this moment in time, things look blacker than they ever had regarding this administration’s policy towards Russia and Ukraine,” said Herbst, now a scholar with the Atlantic Council.However, he said Trump could still change course. “Trump is a mercurial guy,” Herbst said. “He can wake up tomorrow morning, decide he’s done enough on this, and he might start to lean back in the other direction.”Former US ambassador to Poland Dan Fried said the administration’s recent decisions appeared aimed at putting pressure on Kyiv.“It all seems designed to put pressure on Zelenskyy and curry favor with Putin,” said Fried, now a scholar with the Atlantic Council.Lawmakers raise concerns over military supportThe dispute has also drawn criticism from US lawmakers, including Republicans, amid concerns over the impact of satellite restrictions and intelligence-sharing issues on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.Pennsylvania Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick has called for congressional hearings into the Starshield disruptions and "immediate harsh and punitive budget cuts to any responsible agency or agency head.”Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said he and Republican Senator Thom Tillis had organised a call with Zelenskyy and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday, including discussions about disruptions to US intelligence sharing.In a video of the briefing, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had “almost no Patriot interceptors left from the United States” and claimed “the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles that our partners have already paid for.”Republican Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Trump to consider Zelenskyy’s offer to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in exchange for US targeting assistance to counter Russian missiles.“President Trump can lower prices at the pump today by simply agreeing to this deal!” Wicker posted on X.The renewed diplomatic engagement with Rubio comes as Kyiv seeks continued US support for its air defences and satellite-based military operations while pursuing efforts to end the war.You use AI every day. 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