Trump Administration Pressured Ukraine for Mineral Rights, Threatened Starlink Access

U.S. negotiators reportedly demanded Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for continued military aid and access to SpaceX's Starlink internet system.

Reports indicate that the Trump administration proposed cutting Ukraine's access to Starlink if it refused to grant the U.S. rights to a significant portion of its rare earth minerals.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is a critical communication tool for Ukraine's military in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected a U.S. proposal that sought 50% of Ukraine's critical minerals, citing concerns over sovereignty.
The Trump administration has tied continued military support to Ukraine's agreement to provide mineral rights, with negotiations reportedly ongoing.
Experts warn that losing Starlink access would severely impact Ukraine's military operations, particularly its use of drones and other technologies reliant on stable communications.