Zelenskyy says spoke to Rubio over Starlink, Starshield issues

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.

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”.

Ukraine has called for advanced U.S. 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.

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. 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. Trump partially lifted sanctions on Moscow for a diesel supply deal.

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.”