US senators threaten to block Trump's nominees over Starlink restrictions in Ukraine – NYT

US senators have warned the White House they will withhold their votes to confirm nominees until US President Donald Trump's administration secures the restoration of communications systems used by Ukrainian forces, The New York Times reports.

Source: The New York Times, citing sources

Details: According to three people familiar with the discussions, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have told senior White House officials that they will block confirmation of Trump's nominees awaiting congressional approval until the administration restores critically important satellite communications capabilities used by the Ukrainian military.

The move, disclosed to the NYT by sources speaking on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been officially announced, will intensify bipartisan tensions over the White House's ever-more conciliatory approach towards Russia.

This will take place during the remaining congressional session scheduled for after the midterm elections, when Republicans are expected to try to confirm dozens of Trump's nominees before the current Congress's term ends.

The stance highlights growing divisions between the White House and Congress over Russia, with even senior Republicans showing increasing willingness to challenge Trump's policy positions. It also points to a possible shift after the midterm elections, when control of Congress could pass to the Democrats and lawmakers from both parties may be more resolute in using their leverage and oversight powers on the issue.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania who is fighting to retain his seat in a highly contested district, has threatened to seek the dismissal of US officials responsible for the network disruptions as well as cuts to their departments' budgets. He said he doubts the problems were accidental.

A US Senate staff member told the NYT on condition of anonymity that the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations had approved several shipments of critical air defence interceptors that had still not been delivered to Ukraine, raising concerns about delays in aid already authorised by Congress.

Staff are also considering launching investigations into SpaceX in connection with the satellite disruptions and have asked companies involved in Russian diesel fuel transactions to retain documents in the event of possible congressional investigations, the source added.

Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on 23 October that speed restrictions for Starlink satellite communications terminals in Ukraine remain in force.

A bipartisan group of nearly 20 members of the US House of Representatives called on President Donald Trump to ask Elon Musk to give Ukraine access to Starlink systems to target missile launchers on Russian territory.

US Democratic Senator Chris Coons had previously contacted Elon Musk's SpaceX, asking the company to explain who had decided to restrict Starlink's operation in Ukraine and why.

Background:

• The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk had ordered Starlink services to be slowed down. It is unclear to what extent Trump was involved in discussions about the slowdown.
• US Republican Senator Thom Tillis is seeking an investigation into the Pentagon's actions with regard to problems with Starlink satellite communications systems encountered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
• US House of Representatives member Joe Wilson and nearly two dozen of his colleagues prepared a letter calling for Ukraine to be permitted to use Starlink for strikes on launch sites within Russian territory.
• The Wall Street Journal, citing US and Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter, reported that Trump had called Musk and asked him to lift restrictions on the military version of Starlink in Ukraine.
• On the evening of 22 October, Trump said Musk had already lifted speed restrictions on the military version of Starlink in Ukraine but declined to say whether he had personally called him about the issue.
• Ukraine's Defence Ministry said it was recording disruptions to Starlink and Starshield services on the line of contact.

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