Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs Starshield access as Russia strikes again overnight

Fresh strikes and criticism

Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine endured another night of Russian missile and drone attacks. He said partners had again provided no warning, and argued that the developments could embolden Moscow to continue and intensify its invasion.

He described Russia's response to diplomatic efforts as more attacks. The Kremlin, meanwhile, has sought to present Russia as willing to take part in peace efforts.

Starshield access in question

On Saturday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine remained unable to use Starshield, an upgraded military version of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite technology, to intercept Russian drones. The network is important to Ukrainian forces seeking to shoot down jet-powered drones and other weapons.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked whether the U.S. government caused a change in Starlink service. Rubio said he was “not sure Zelenskyy knows what he's talking about,” adding that the change was not deliberate and the United States was not involved. Rubio said nobody had ordered Starlink speed to be reduced, and that service had, to his understanding, been restored. He did not explain what he meant by saying the change “sort of happened.”

U.S. ties grow more strained

In a Monday post on X, Zelenskyy said political agreements had not been implemented at the working level. He also pointed to delays in some vital supplies from the U.S. Department of War. The statement followed an increasingly tense exchange with Trump. Over the weekend, Trump accused Zelenskyy of not wanting the war to end, writing on Truth Social that he “doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did.”

Ceasefire claim disputed

A little over a week earlier, Trump said Ukraine and Russia had agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” halting attacks on energy infrastructure. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv confirmed such an agreement, and Ukrainian authorities reported fresh Russian attacks on refineries within hours.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that Putin proposed a meeting of U.S., Chinese and Russian officials to discuss the war, without Ukraine at the negotiating table. The newspaper said Putin raised the summit idea during an Oct. 9 call with Trump.