White House Says It Does Not Control SpaceX and Starlink Restrictions

White House officials told Ukrainian advisers that the administration does not control SpaceX and therefore cannot directly dictate Starlink service terms in Ukraine. One source said the White House plans to ask SpaceX directly to explain what happened with the recent speed restrictions imposed on Starshield terminals used by Ukrainian forces.

Elon Musk weighed in publicly, clarifying that speed limits on Starshield — the military-grade version of Starlink — are set by the United States military and the president, not by SpaceX itself.

Ukraine's military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications, drone operations, and coordination. The speed restrictions caused serious operational disruptions. Service was partially restored later with speeds reportedly returning up to 160 km/h.