U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system as leverage in discussions over critical mineral access, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, has been crucial for Ukraine’s military and civilian communications amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The issue was brought up after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding mineral resource agreements, sources said.

The topic resurfaced during a meeting between U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskiy, where Ukraine was allegedly warned of an imminent Starlink shutoff if a mineral deal was not reached. One source described the situation as dire, stating, "Ukraine runs on Starlink. Losing it would be a massive blow."

Zelenskiy has so far resisted demands from President Donald Trump's administration for $500 billion in mineral wealth as repayment for U.S. wartime aid, arguing that no concrete security guarantees have been offered in exchange. However, on Friday, he indicated that negotiations were ongoing, with Trump stating that a deal could be signed soon.

Musk had originally provided Starlink terminals to Ukraine to help replace communications infrastructure destroyed in Russia’s invasion. While initially hailed as a hero, he later curtailed access in late 2022 as his stance on Ukraine’s war efforts shifted.

The reported threat to cut Ukraine off from Starlink has sparked concern among defense analysts and lawmakers. Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, highlighted Starlink’s role in Ukraine’s drone operations, a key aspect of its military strategy. "Losing Starlink would be a game changer," Haring noted, adding that Ukraine is currently at parity with Russia in terms of drone and artillery usage.

The Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Defense have not yet commented on the reports, nor has SpaceX.

Amid growing tensions, Ukraine has considered opening its critical mineral sector to investment from allied nations as part of a broader “victory plan” aimed at strengthening its negotiating position against Moscow. Trump has publicly supported the idea, advocating for Ukraine to supply the U.S. with rare earths and other strategic minerals in return for continued financial backing.

Zelenskiy, however, recently rejected a U.S. proposal that would have granted Washington and U.S. firms 50% ownership of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—an essential component in electric vehicle batteries.

The rejection has fueled tensions between Trump and Zelenskiy, with Trump recently calling the Ukrainian leader "a dictator without elections" after Zelenskiy accused him of falling for Russian disinformation. The dispute underscores the increasing complexities in U.S.-Ukraine relations as both sides navigate wartime support and economic negotiations.

‍