US treasury secretary tells Zelenskyy to be very careful with statements about Starlink
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statements regarding the US restricting the operation of Starlink and Starshield "very reckless".
Source: Bessent in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, reported by European Pravda
Details: Bessent's interview came immediately after NBC News interviewed Zelenskyy, during which they discussed intelligence sharing and Starlink, among other things.
The journalist reminded Bessent that Zelenskyy had told NBC News that the US government had signalled to SpaceX that it should restrict Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine. She asked Bessent to comment on Zelenskyy's remarks in light of US President Donald Trump's statements, which contradicted his account.
Quote from Bessent: "President Trump and Secretary Rubio have categorically said that no one on the Trump administration did that. And I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge."
Details: Asked why the satellite network's performance has deteriorated, Bessent replied: "I don't know anything about that".
Quote from Bessent: "Then, again, I don't know anything about that. But we've been very clear. And President Zelenskyy should be very careful about making statements like this that aren't true."
Background:
- Speaking at the White House on 16 October, Trump said he does not believe that either he or Musk is responsible for Ukraine losing access to Starlink. The Pentagon has not publicly explained the reasons for the restrictions.
- According to The Telegraph, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink operations in Ukraine.
- On 17 October, Zelenskyy said a test conducted by Ukraine in EU countries has confirmed that the restrictions on its use of Starlink have been imposed as part of a planned operation.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration "has nothing to do" with the restriction of Starlink's operation in Ukraine.
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