US lawmakers urge Trump to allow Ukraine to use Starlink to strike Russian launchers
Members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus signed the letter to the US president calling for Ukraine to be allowed to use Starlink satellite communications to strike launcher systems on Russian territory. Among the signatories are seven Republicans and 16 Democrats, The Hill writes.
"Ukraine must be able to defend itself, its people, and the West! The best way is to destroy Russia's capability to launch terrorist attacks," Representative Joe Wilson wrote on social media.
As Voice of America previously reported, US Senators Roger Wicker and Kevin Cramer discussed a similar proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi during their visit to Kyiv in early October.
According to Voice of America, American lawmakers proposed a deal to Zelenskyi under which Ukraine would cease strikes on Russian energy facilities in exchange for expanded access to Starshield.
Cramer spoke about this conversation in an interview with Face the Nation on October 18. According to him, the Ukrainian president reacted positively to the proposal.
He explained that expanded access to Starshield would allow Ukraine to attack Russian launchers at a significant distance from the border. Furthermore, according to Cramer, Zelenskyi requested a license to produce interceptor missiles for American Patriot air defense systems.
Senator Roger Wicker also urged Trump to agree to the proposed deal. He linked its potential implementation not only to strengthening Ukrainian strikes against military targets deep inside Russia, but also to lowering gasoline prices in the US.
"President Zelenskyi agreed not to strike Russian oil facilities in exchange for targeting assistance," Wicker wrote on X. "President Trump, take the win!"
Background
As Rubryka wrote, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi believes that US decisions regarding Starlink and Starshield operations, missile deliveries for Patriot systems, and sanctions against Russia signal a potential political decision to slow support for Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv remains ready to continue working toward a just peace, whereas Vladimir Putin refuses to end the war.
On October 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi discussed interceptor deliveries for ballistic missiles, warning systems for Russian attacks, and Starlink/Starshield operations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
At the same time, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth stated that Washington has neither revoked nor restricted Ukraine's access to the Starshield system and has issued no special directives on the matter. The company makes decisions regarding the use of Starlink services in accordance with its terms of service.
It should be noted that on October 18, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported that Ukraine does not currently have access to the American military satellite communications system Starshield, which Kyiv seeks to use for long-range strikes against Russian targets. The matter remains under discussion.
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24 of October 2026
