I asked for Patriot missiles to defend ourselves. In response, they blocked Starlink, - Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to support an energy ceasefire but expects the U.S. to supply missiles for the Patriot system so that it can defend itself against Russian attacks.
The head of state made this statement in an interview with the Financial Times, according to Censor.NET.
Details
He explained that he does not want to interfere in the "diesel deal" between the U.S. and Russia. But if Russia attacks Ukraine, it will respond.
"Don’t drag us into any deals involving diesel fuel. If you ask us to help in this situation, we will, of course, help you as partners. But we’re asking you for an energy truce. ...
The question is: Can you give me missiles for the Patriot system? Because if I don’t attack them—since you’re asking me not to attack them—they’ll attack me.
That’s fair, if you give me the means to defend myself. That’s the bare minimum I’m asking for. No? I believe so. And when I ask for this, your response is to block Starlink," Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to the president, we need to talk more and explain more.
"And stand our ground. Our position. The position of Ukraine, of our people. That’s what I’m doing," he concluded.
US–Russia diesel deal and threats against Ukraine
- On October 9, US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Russian dictator Putin and reached an agreement on Russian diesel supplies to US and global markets.
- According to him, Russia would "immediately" supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, another 500,000 tonnes during November, and a further one million tonnes "immediately after that."
- The US Treasury Department announced that, at Trump’s direction, the Office of Foreign Assets Control was immediately issuing a temporary general license authorizing Russian diesel supplies to the global market.
- In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called permission for Russia to sell petroleum products an "investment in war" and urged the US to hold firm talks with Moscow and impose sanctions under Lindsey Graham’s legislation.
- Axios reported that, during talks in Miami, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had allegedly warned the Ukrainian side that access to US intelligence could be cut off if Ukraine continued striking Russian oil refineries.
- On October 11, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine would be ready to halt strikes on Russian refineries if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
- That same day, US President Donald Trump announced the start of an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia.
- In comments to Axios, Zelenskyy said US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the start of an "energy truce" had come as a surprise to the Ukrainian side.
- The president later said Ukraine was ready to refrain from striking Russia’s energy sector provided Russia took similar steps.
Restrictions on Starlink operations in Ukraine
- On October 14, volunteer and former adviser to the defence minister Serhii Sternenko said that SpaceX had restricted the operation of Starlink terminals for the Ukrainian military overnight. According to him, this had "disrupted a number of important missions". Restrictions were imposed on data transmission depending on the speed of UAVs using Starlink.
- Serhii Beskrestnov, known as Flash, later confirmed the information. According to him, the restrictions could also complicate the use of drones that intercept jet-powered Shaheds.
- Units of the 7th Air Assault Corps also said they had begun experiencing Starlink connectivity problems in the Huliaipole sector overnight. The problems concern the Starshield package — the so-called military package, which previously had no data transmission speed limits.
- At the same time, Elon Musk stated that he is not the one who sets the limits for Starshield, which Ukraine is using. This system is controlled by the U.S. government, not SpaceX.
