Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week he feels betrayed by US President Donald Trump, warning that new restrictions on Starlink satellite services and a US deal to buy Russian diesel have left Ukraine dangerously exposed.
Speaking to British journalist Piers Morgan on the YouTube show "Piers Morgan Uncensored" during a visit to London on Wednesday, Zelensky was asked directly whether the Trump administration had betrayed Ukraine. "Really, yes," he answered. He called the American fuel agreement with Moscow a "simple victory" for the Kremlin and said it was painful to see Washington pick a side that was not Ukraine's. "It's a pity that we are losing, we are losing a strong partner," he said.
Starlink restrictions could "cost lives"
The sharpest warning concerned Starlink. Ukraine's military reported that access to Starshield — the military-grade version of Elon Musk's Starlink system used to guide drones and air-defence operations — had been restricted, with speeds on terminals in motion capped at 100mph, rendering many drones ineffective.
"This decision will bring a lot of human losses... of course, people will die," Zelensky told Morgan. Musk, however, denied that the decision was his, writing on X that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government and that any limits are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. A Ukrainian defence ministry source later said mobile Starshield service had been restored on Thursday.
Wider fallout
The dispute traces back to last week, when Trump announced that Vladimir Putin had agreed to supply markets with Russian diesel — a move aimed at lowering US energy costs ahead of the midterm elections that drew criticism from both parties in Washington and angered European allies. The US had also warned Kyiv over its long-range strikes on Russian refineries.
During the interview, Zelensky praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham for their criticism of the diesel deal, calling their leadership "strong".
Sources:
- Washington limits its support to Kyiv amidst increased Russian attacks on energy infrastructure — Le Monde
- Zelensky Says He Feels Betrayed by Trump as Starlink Restrictions Add to Ukraine's Troubles — Times Now
Speaking to British journalist Piers Morgan on the YouTube show "Piers Morgan Uncensored" during a visit to London on Wednesday, Zelensky was asked directly whether the Trump administration had betrayed Ukraine. "Really, yes," he answered. He called the American fuel agreement with Moscow a "simple victory" for the Kremlin and said it was painful to see Washington pick a side that was not Ukraine's. "It's a pity that we are losing, we are losing a strong partner," he said.
Starlink restrictions could "cost lives"
The sharpest warning concerned Starlink. Ukraine's military reported that access to Starshield — the military-grade version of Elon Musk's Starlink system used to guide drones and air-defence operations — had been restricted, with speeds on terminals in motion capped at 100mph, rendering many drones ineffective.
"This decision will bring a lot of human losses... of course, people will die," Zelensky told Morgan. Musk, however, denied that the decision was his, writing on X that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government and that any limits are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. A Ukrainian defence ministry source later said mobile Starshield service had been restored on Thursday.
Wider fallout
The dispute traces back to last week, when Trump announced that Vladimir Putin had agreed to supply markets with Russian diesel — a move aimed at lowering US energy costs ahead of the midterm elections that drew criticism from both parties in Washington and angered European allies. The US had also warned Kyiv over its long-range strikes on Russian refineries.
During the interview, Zelensky praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham for their criticism of the diesel deal, calling their leadership "strong".
Sources:
- Washington limits its support to Kyiv amidst increased Russian attacks on energy infrastructure — Le Monde
- Zelensky Says He Feels Betrayed by Trump as Starlink Restrictions Add to Ukraine's Troubles — Times Now
