By Basant El-Faramawy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans for a trilateral meeting involving officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States scheduled for November. Zelensky stated that while technical groups are prepared to engage in discussions, any negotiations regarding territorial issues must take place at the leadership level.
Dispute Over Starlink Usage
Kyiv has formally contested claims made by Elon Musk regarding the use of Starlink satellite communications. Musk had previously alleged that the Ukrainian military violated terms of service by using the technology for offensive drone strikes. Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Zelensky, rejected these assertions, arguing that the restrictions imposed on the service would have made the described strikes physically impossible. He further noted that the civilian Starlink system does not function over Russian territory.
Restoration of Satellite Services
Ukrainian officials confirmed that high-speed access via Starlink and Starshield satellite communications has been restored. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara reported that monitoring systems now show stable connections for equipment traveling at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, ending recent speed restrictions that had impacted front-line drone operations. Zelensky noted that the restoration of these services followed discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo.
Conditions for Peace Negotiations
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is not prepared to engage in a lopsided exchange. He stressed that any high-level meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin must occur while Ukraine maintains leverage, specifically through the continued use of sanctions, frozen assets, and financial tools. The President also linked the cessation of strikes on Russian oil refineries to several conditions, including the protection of Ukraine's power infrastructure and increased access to Patriot missiles or Starshield capabilities over Russian territory to detect ballistic missile launches.
