Zelensky says U.S. intelligence and Starlink restrictions have "helped Putin" and put Ukraine at risk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said restrictions affecting U.S. intelligence support and Starlink capabilities had become dangerous for Ukraine and, regardless of intent, had helped Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It's a pity that in this technological war, the United States has helped Putin," Zelensky told Piers Morgan. "Not because they want to or not. I don't know." He added: "Intelligence, Starlink — when it comes together, it's dangerous."

Zelensky said he had asked President Donald Trump to allow Ukraine to use Starlink over Russian territory to target ballistic missile launchers. He argued that destroying those launchers would reduce Kyiv's need to attack Russian energy facilities. "Give us Starlink. Open it for us," he said, calling the decision to restrict access "a very serious mistake."

He said Russia was making only limited territorial gains at the cost of heavy losses and argued that Putin could no longer advance inside Ukraine without paying a high price. Zelensky also criticized Trump's approach to the Russian president, calling Putin "the real evil of today" and saying Trump's relationship with him was "a mistake."

On Trump's Russian diesel agreement, Zelensky warned that concessions could encourage Moscow to seek more. "Today it's diesel. Maybe the next will be gas. Definitely, it will be gas," he said.

Zelensky also argued that Ukraine's battlefield experience provides valuable military knowledge to Europe, particularly about drones, air defense and modern warfare. He pointed to Iran's demonstrated ability to launch missiles over roughly 4,000 kilometers as an example of threats European countries need to prepare for.

Starlink and its military counterpart Starshield have become central to the dispute between Washington and Kyiv. Elon Musk has said restrictions on Starshield are controlled by the U.S. government and military, while U.S. officials have disputed suggestions that the Trump administration ordered recent Starlink limitations.