Relations between Kyiv and Washington have rarely been more strained.
Desperate to avoid widespread Republican losses in the US midterm elections, Donald Trump had spent weeks calling on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and then went behind the back of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strike a diesel export deal with Vladimir Putin.
The move sparked rare bipartisan backlash in the US and was branded a “weak decision” by Zelenskyy, a comment which prompted retaliation from Trump.
First, Ukraine was blindsided when limits were suddenly imposed on the military grade version of Starlink it uses to combat Russian drone attacks and then, in an executive order published late on Friday evening, the President waived a comprehensive package of sanctions targeting Russia.
Trump, and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, have denied responsibility for imposing limits on Starlink, but the President has defended the latter move, telling reporters it was “a very good decision”.
As Ukraine prepares for the potential of a grueling winter onslaught, Trump and Zelenskyy’s own words reflect wider fears the US leader could be about to hand Putin yet more advantages.
Zelenskyy says evidence shows Starlink limits were ‘planned’
After Ukrainian forces discovered limits had been placed on their use of Starshield, the military grade version of Starlink, on Wednesday, questions were raised over who had imposed the restrictions.
Musk, who’s SpaceX operates Starlink, quickly denied involvement, saying Starshield was run by the Pentagon and any changes to access would have ultimately been decided on by Trump.
The President, however, denied he was responsible and on Friday insisted Ukraine’s ability to use the satellite communications network was “the same as it’s always been”.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy pushed back.
In an explosive WhatsApp message to reporters, Ukraine’s leader said testing had shown drone interceptors operated in other European nations were able to function normally, while those operated in Ukrainian territory were handicaped.
Ukraine had “sent a couple of vehicles equipped with Starlink terminals into European Union territory,” he revealed, adding officials possessed “the relevant logs and evidence to prove” the drones moved at speeds exceeding 180kph.
“The conclusion is clear: the restrictions are in effect within Ukraine but do not apply within the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation,” Zelenskyy said.
Washington had told Kyiv the speed limits were likely due to a technical fault with the Starshield system, echoing Trump’s denial the US had deliberately sought to impair Ukraine’s aerial defences.
Zelenskyy told European leaders on Friday Ukraine was negotiating with the US to remove the limit, but neither Trump nor any of his senior officials have offered any clarity on the talks or when the restrictions could be lifted.
Trump says lifting sanctions on Russia ‘good for the world’
Just last month Trump signed off on a rare piece of overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation passed up from Congress: the Lindsey Graham Act.
Named for the late Republican senator and staunch supporter of Ukraine, the law set out sweeping sanctions aimed at chocking Russia’s economy and forcing Putin to end his invasion.
The law had been set to come into force on Sunday, but on Friday evening Trump issued an executive order waiving the sanctions indefinitely.
Condemnation of the move was swift, with even the President’s Republican allies speaking out.
Senator Thom Tillis branded the executive order “beyond irresponsible” in a social media post after news of the move broke.
“What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?” he said.
“It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine.”
Trump, though, dismissed the criticism and hinted he could do yet more deals with Russia.
“It’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country and, I think, good for the world,” he said.