UKRAINE, Feb 23: Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said Sunday that his country was exploring alternatives to US operator Starlink for frontline satellite communications following reports that the United States could halt access.
Washington has threatened to disrupt Ukrainian access to the communications network -- vital for the Ukrainian army -- if Kyiv refuses to sign a deal giving Washington rights to Ukrainian critical resources, according to media reports.
Elon Musk expresses interest in expanding Starlink to Nepal
"We are already working on this. There are alternatives. There is a solution, there is an alternative," Umerov said at a press conference in Kyiv.
Ukraine has said the critical minerals agreement drafted by Washington fails to ensure Kyiv's interests and that it lacks necessary security guarantees for the country.
Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor to Donald Trump who owns Starlink, denied reports claiming the US had threatened to halt Ukrainian access, characterising the allegations on social media as "false".
