Trump is ramping up pressure on Ukraine’s war machine. Zelensky, who pocketed billions, is now being forced to pay up—and he’s panicking. Trump reached out, but Zelensky’s ego got in the way.
Then came the arm-twisting. This time, Zelensky stayed silent. Now, Trump is going for the jugular, threatening Ukraine’s intel access and crippling its communication—leaving Zelensky and his team scrambling.
On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine is facing yet another crisis—not just on the battlefield but also in the corridors of power. The United States has reportedly threatened to cut Kyiv’s access to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet system, unless President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to a controversial rare earth minerals deal.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the US has pressed Ukraine to agree to a mineral deal that would grant Washington access to $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s critical minerals as repayment for wartime aid. Zelenskyy initially rejected the proposal, citing concerns over the absence of security guarantees.
“I did not allow ministers to sign the agreement because it is not ready. In my opinion, it does not protect us,” Zelensky stated at a press briefing in Munich on February 15. However, within a week, under growing pressure from Washington and key European allies, the Ukrainian president significantly softened his stance.
Following a meeting with US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, Zelensky signaled that talks were progressing, posting on social media: “Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement. What matters most is getting the details right.”
Mounting Pressure from the US and Allies
While criticism from Washington was expected, Zelensky’s handling of the situation has also drawn rebukes from European allies. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda openly urged him to cooperate with the US, emphasizing that Ukraine’s survival depends on continued American support. Meanwhile, White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that US frustration was growing, accusing Zelensky of making “unacceptable” remarks about Donald Trump.
“President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term. And that is good for Ukraine,” Waltz told CPAC attendees, making it clear that Washington expects full compliance from Kyiv.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Starlink has played a pivotal role in keeping Ukraine online, with Musk himself responding to a plea from Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation within hours. The technology has allowed Ukrainian forces to coordinate drone strikes, maintain battlefield communications, and mitigate Russian cyber warfare efforts.
However, Musk’s support has been inconsistent. Initially providing Starlink access at little to no cost, he later sought US government funding. By early 2023, SpaceX imposed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the technology for offensive military operations, including an instance where Musk refused to activate Starlink for a planned attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. Ukrainian officials have also accused Russia of gaining unauthorized access to Starlink terminals, though Musk has dismissed these allegations.
What will Zelensky Decide?
With the US now holding Starlink access over Ukraine’s head, the implications for Kyiv’s war effort are dire. Losing this capability would not only disrupt battlefield communications but could also cripple key defense operations, especially as Ukrainian troops rely heavily on Starlink-connected drones to target Russian positions.
For Zelensky, the rare earth minerals deal represents an impossible choice. Agreeing to Washington’s terms could turn Ukraine into little more than a resource colony for the US, with its vast natural wealth mortgaged away under wartime duress. Yet refusing the deal could result in a loss of critical support, including Starlink and other military aid, at a time when Ukraine’s position on the battlefield is growing increasingly fragile.
As Moscow’s forces continue to press forward and Western backing becomes more conditional, Ukraine finds itself backed into a corner. The coming days will likely determine not only whether Kyiv retains access to Starlink but also the future trajectory of Ukraine’s sovereignty and post-war economic prospects. One thing is clear: Zelensky is running out of room to maneuver.
