EU Leaders Urge Action on Ukraine’s Dependence on Starlink Satellite Service

During an EU summit in Brussels on October 15, 2026, leaders addressed Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink satellite communications. This discussion comes after Ukraine experienced disruptions to the US-owned Starlink system, which is crucial for its military operations.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, stated that Europe currently lacks a viable alternative to the technology provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. She emphasized that Starlink is essential for Ukraine, and Europe cannot replace it in the short term.

Ukraine utilizes Starshield, a military-grade service from Starlink, for battlefield communications and drone operations. Although it also uses the civilian Starlink system, this is not for offensive actions. Recent reports indicate that Ukraine faced restrictions on Starlink usage, with Musk attributing any service disruptions to the US government.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs highlighted the urgency of enhancing Europe’s capabilities, noting that while Europe has some resources, they are not sufficient to match Starlink’s effectiveness. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten mentioned discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about developing similar services in the near future.

Ukrainian officials reported slower speeds on the Starlink system, affecting connectivity. UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting stated he was assured by his US counterpart that the service had been restored, although the cause of the interruptions remains unclear.