Zelensky says SpaceX slowed Ukraine’s Starlink and the U.S. has delivered only 24 air-defense missiles in 90 days

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said SpaceX was responsible for slowing Starlink access in Ukraine and said the country had received only 24 air-defense missiles from its U.S. partner over the past 90 days.

“Starlink works, but it’s still limited,” Zelensky told ABC News. “The point is to have unlimited speed, but it’s still limited.”

Asked whether Elon Musk personally ordered the slowdown, Zelensky said: “We know one thing: SpaceX slowed it down. And I’m sure Elon knows about it now, even if he didn’t know before.”

Zelensky contrasted Ukraine’s limited supply of interceptors with the roughly 2,000 missiles he said were used during the first 84 hours of the Middle East war.

“I’ve got from our strategic partner 24 missiles during the last 90 days,” he said. “We are not crying and not screaming, but this is very important. Each missile is important.”

Asked whether Washington had stopped Europe from providing additional interceptors, Zelensky replied: “Not stopped, but didn’t sign.”

He also said Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to have “quite good relations,” while stressing that this was Trump’s personal choice.

Zelensky said Ukraine currently needed a strong presidency and military to survive the war, arguing that he would resist pressure because otherwise “the Russians… will eat us.”

Addressing criticism that Kyiv should show greater gratitude to Washington, Zelensky said he preferred honest relations to constant displays of thanks.

“I don’t play games with Trump. This is my difference between me and Putin,” he said. “I’m direct, honest. That’s it.”