European officials have escalated talks on decreasing reliance on the United States and American defense firms after U.S. limitations on Starlink’s use in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports, referencing sources knowledgeable about the situation.
The sources indicate that the Starlink issue was a major subject at the latest summit of European Union leaders, leading the bloc to explore the possibility of creating its own satellite network. Nonetheless, authorities recognize that this transition would require years, considering the existing dependence on U.S. technology. As a result, they perceive enhancing Europe’s position within current frameworks, like NATO, as the most viable way ahead, the sources mentioned.
Last week, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, announced on X that the limitations on Starlink in Ukraine were implemented due to Kyiv breaking company policy by using the satellite system to support drone strikes. On October 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that Starlink is utilized for “medium-range attacks on enemy military positions” in areas controlled by Russia.
Bloomberg reports that U.S. Vice President JD Vance, in his remarks regarding the Starlink issue, lambasted Europe for depending on the U.S., implying that the dispute is “more political and strategic in nature.” One source also suggested that worries within the EU about Washington’s dependability have increased because of holdups in the provision of American weaponry, such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, to Europe. The Pentagon did not provide a reply to a request for comment.
source: bloomberg.com
