The past few weeks have tested the US-Ukraine relationship like never before, as President Donald Trump has increasingly aligned himself with Vladimir Putin. The shift began with a diesel deal that undermined the sanctions regime on Russia, followed by the neutering of the Graham-Blumenthal Act's new sanctions. These moves provided real material aid to Moscow and signaled to the world that Washington has little interest in enforcing its own penalties.
Militarily, the US has also taken steps that benefit Russia. Reports indicate Washington blocked European nations from delivering Patriot missiles purchased for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that in the previous 90 days, Ukraine received only 24 Patriot missiles—fewer than the US used in a single night against Iranian attacks.
But the most consequential move was the restriction imposed two weeks ago on Ukraine's use of Starlink satellite communications, which control some of its most critical military systems. As detailed in our previous analysis of the Starshield slowdown, this degraded Ukrainian air defense and crippled its mid-range strike campaign against Russian logistics.
Now, however, Ukraine has confirmed that Starlink speeds have been restored. The story behind this reversal reveals much about how the US government operates, how easily the American press can be manipulated, and what Trump and his administration actually respond to. In this case, it was not flattery or obsequiousness, but raw political and financial pressure.
No one takes credit
The speed restrictions began on October 13, with Ukraine publicly disclosing the issue the next morning. This was a clear violation of agreements put in place by the Biden administration and appeared to contravene arrangements with European states paying for Ukrainian access.
The most telling sign that this was a deliberate move by both the Trump administration and Elon Musk was their immediate attempts to deny responsibility. Musk was first, suggesting that Starshield—the military-grade version of the system—was a Pentagon responsibility. The White House followed hours later, leaking to Axios that the presidential office had nothing to do with the decision. Notably, Musk mentioned only Starshield, while the White House mentioned only Starlink.
From what I have gathered, the decision involved both. The idea may have originated with Musk, but it could not have happened without Trump's full approval. Both men have shown pro-Russian sympathies, and this move fit their shared agenda.
The pressure campaign
The restrictions came shortly after the diesel decision, and Ukrainian officials responded with blunt language. Zelensky called the diesel move "weak." In an interview with Piers Morgan, he said, "It's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side."
Trump supporters then tried to make Zelensky's tone the issue, suggesting that if he were nicer to Trump, the US would be more supportive. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this on Meet the Press. But the Ukrainians, along with European allies, began applying pressure of their own.
European leaders, who had been paying for Ukraine's Starlink access, reportedly confronted the White House. Financial pressure mounted as well, with threats to reconsider US access to certain European markets. The combination proved effective.
Within days, the restrictions were lifted. Zelensky announced the restoration, and both Musk and the White House quietly moved on. The episode demonstrates that Trump and his team respond to leverage, not compliments. As one European diplomat put it, "Flattery gets you nowhere with this administration. Only consequences do."
The broader implications are significant. The US has shown it will use Ukraine's military infrastructure as a bargaining chip, and that it can be forced to back down when confronted with unified opposition. For allies in Asia and Europe, the lesson is clear: dealing with this White House requires strength, not submission.
This saga also highlights the fragility of US commitments. If Washington can throttle Ukraine's satellite communications on a whim, what might it do to other partners? The Trump-Putin alliance is not just rhetorical; it has real consequences on the battlefield and beyond.
For now, Ukraine's Starlink is back to full speed. But the underlying vulnerability remains. As the war grinds on, the question is not whether the US will again use such leverage, but when—and whether Ukraine and its allies will be ready to counter it with the same kind of pressure that just proved so effective.
