Concern in the EU following Starlink chaos

 

Oskar Forsberg

 

Published 16:16 | Updated 17:06

Elon Musk’s Starlink system has previously been restricted in Ukraine.

Now, concerns are being raised in Europe.

“Europe is extremely vulnerable when the US shuts down satellites,” says Heléne Fritzon (S), who wants the European Commission to exert pressure on Trump.

The speed restrictions imposed on Elon Musk’s Starlink system last week have crippled Ukraine’s high-speed attack drones and air-defense drones.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump claimed that access to the system had been fully restored following a call to Elon Musk—but several sources indicated that this was not the case.

Denys Sienik, Ukraine’s representative in Washington, confirmed earlier this week that the restrictions remained in place.

“Our people are waiting for positive news and hoping that the restrictions will be lifted, so that we can have the capacity we need to protect human lives. Unfortunately, nothing has changed,” Denys Sienik told Sky News.

On Saturday, the restrictions were finally lifted.

“Blaming each other”

The recent restrictions on the satellite system have prompted an initiative by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Heléne Fritzon (S). She has gathered signatures within the European Parliament to demand that the Commission—and Ursula von der Leyen—exert pressure on the US and Donald Trump.

So far, more than 60 MEPs have signed on.

“First and foremost, we want the EU to take action to clarify why the US did this—and, crucially, who was responsible. After all, Trump and Musk are currently blaming each other.” "Secondly, we want to take action to secure Ukraine’s access to satellite communications," says Heléne Fritzon.

However, Fritzon argues that there is more to it than that.

"There is also the long-term perspective. What we are seeing now is that Europe is extremely vulnerable when the Americans—whoever may have been responsible—shut down satellites in this manner. We therefore need European alternatives to ensure the security and safety of satellite communications. Ultimately, this is about Ukraine, but it is also about our own European security and our borders," she says.

So, du you hope that the commission will take this seriously and exert pressure on the Americans?  

"Yes, I certainly do. But the crucial point is to guarantee Europe’s security in the long term. I am open to the idea that we may need to develop our own systems for this purpose."

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Starlink and Starshield operations had been restored as of last night.

"I thank all Americans and all our partners who took this seriously and truly helped—members of Congress, senators, the media, the State Department, and the President. Protecting lives is important," he wrote on X.

Internet from space

This is Starlink

1. Starlink was developed by the space company SpaceX, which was founded by Elon Musk in 2002 and remains under his leadership. 
2. Starlink consists of approximately 11,000 satellites orbiting the Earth at a relatively low altitude—about 550 kilometers.
3. The satellites provide internet connectivity to specific receiver terminals on the ground, or aboard vehicles such as aircraft or drones.  
4. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Starlink has been vital to Ukraine’s communications—facilitating links between military units and supporting the operation of drones, among other uses.
5. Ukraine has become highly dependent on the system. On several occasions, SpaceX has restricted access, raising questions about the extent of the influence a private American company exerts over Ukraine’s conduct of the war. 
6. There is also a military version of the system known as Starshield, which relies on specialized satellites. By October 2026, 245 Starshield satellites had been launched.