President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) said he had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and raised issues with the U.S. military satellite system Ukraine uses and missile delays.
Starshield, developed by tech titan Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is controlled and managed by the U.S. government. Ukraine also uses the civilian Starlink system but not for military purposes. Mr. Trump partially lifted sanctions on Moscow for a diesel supply deal. They agreed to speak again soon for an update.
Earlier reporting noted: Zelenskyy shared the statement on social media on October 20.
Musk has said that changes to Starshield could only have been ordered by the White House, prompting denials but adding to already tense ties since Mr. Earlier reporting noted: Missile defence, Starlink support: Zelenskyy holds ‘substantive’ talks with Rubio amid Trump’s Russia shift Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he held a “substantive” conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on ballistic missile defence, early warning of Russian attacks and the restoration of Starlink or Starshield services, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its defences amid diplomatic efforts to end the war. Earlier reporting noted: Zelenskyy said the two sides discussed interceptors needed to counter Russian ballistic missiles, advance warnings of incoming attacks and the situation surrounding satellite services used by Ukraine’s military.
Patriot interceptors to defend itself against Russian attacks and reported a reduction in speeds on Starshield, which it uses for battlefield communications and strikes on Russian-occupied territory. Ukraine has called for advanced U.S. Mr. Trump has also criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and echoed the Kremlin’s calls for Zelenskyy to be replaced as leader. Mr.
Zelenskyy called his talks with Rubio “substantive” and “constructive”, adding: “I am grateful for his readiness to help and his clear position.”
The Ukrainian leader, expected in Oslo for talks with U.S. envoys, said he told Rubio that “Starlink/Starshield needs to be restored” and that ballistic missile interceptors “are needed to protect lives”.
