Trump Urges Musk to Remove 100‑Mbps Starlink Cap for Ukraine

Trump’s Thursday call to Musk, according to the Wall Street Journal, was a direct request to remove a 100‑Mbps speed cap that has restricted Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s satellite network.

The cap, measured at about 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) of data throughput, has hampered Ukraine’s ability to coordinate drone strikes and air‑defense operations against Russian forces.

Ukrainian officials reported that after the call, Starlink is now operating at higher speeds than the cap, though it remains below full capacity.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Wednesday, clarified that decisions about Ukraine’s access to Starlink rest with SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk, not the White House.

If Musk removes the restriction, Ukraine could restore full satellite bandwidth, potentially enhancing the precision of its drone missions and battlefield communications.

Musk has not yet responded to Trump’s request, and the next step will be his decision on whether to lift the cap.