Source: Reuters citing three sources familiar with the matter
Details: According to the publication's sources, US negotiators are pressuring Kyiv, demanding access to Ukrainian minerals. One of the leverage points being considered is the potential disconnection of the country from Starlink.
Verbatim: "The extension of Ukraine's access to Starlink, owned by SpaceX, was raised during negotiations between American and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.
This issue was brought up again during a meeting between US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Kurt Volker and Zelensky."
Details: During the meeting, Ukraine was informed that it would face an inevitable disconnection of service if it did not sign a minerals agreement, a source told Reuters.
Background:
- The Donald Trump administration imposed conditions on Ukraine regarding the minerals agreement that are typically placed on defeated aggressor nations. The terms of this agreement far exceed those imposed on Germany and Japan after World War II.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the US proposal, as the agreement lacked clear security guarantees from the United States.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Trump was upset due to a lack of gratitude for American assistance and the refusal to sign the minerals agreement.
- Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon sign an agreement with the United States regarding mineral extraction.