US Curbs Intelligence and Satellite Access for Ukraine After Trump's Call With Putin
After US President Donald Trump's 9 October phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Washington has restricted some intelligence sharing with Ukraine and access to the "Starshield" satellite communications system. Concern is growing in Kyiv about future American support.
Following a 9 October phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Washington has restricted some intelligence sharing with Ukraine, as well as its access to the "Starshield" satellite communications system. Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion, still needs such support, and worry is growing in Kyiv over the American stance.
Ukraine remains heavily dependent on US intelligence, particularly warnings about Russian ballistic missile launches. The news agency Reuters, citing US and Western officials, reported that the order to limit the use of "Starshield" came from the White House, the office of the US president.
Criticism ahead of the midterms
The US holds midterm elections to Congress on 3 November, and Republicans risk losing their majority. Against this backdrop, Trump has been criticising Ukraine more often. He blames it for rising fuel prices, shrinking US weapons stockpiles and unwillingness to accept peace terms.
At the same time, the US has reportedly proposed moving part of the Russian central bank assets frozen in Belgium into a new financial structure controlled by the US. The aim would be to encourage Putin to return to negotiations.
Pressure on Kyiv is not new
In February 2025, Trump publicly clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The US then temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence sharing, seeking to bring Ukraine into peace talks. After the August 2025 summit in Alaska, Washington demanded that Ukraine make territorial concessions in exchange for US security guarantees.
Trump has also claimed that aid to Ukraine under the previous administration drained American weapons stockpiles. The source notes that in June 2025 a US-Israeli military operation against Iran also consumed considerable resources.
In Ukrainian society and political leadership, concern is growing that Washington is drifting away from Kyiv and taking Moscow's interests into greater account. Zelensky said: "It's a pity that we are losing a strong partner. It hurts when President Trump takes the other side – not ours." He admitted that he feels betrayed.
