# Starlink access in Ukraine a decision for Musk, not White House

> Rubio says Ukraine's Starlink access decisions rest with Musk, not White House.
- Title: Starlink access in Ukraine a decision for Musk, not White…
- Summary: Rubio says Ukraine's Starlink access decisions rest with Musk, not White House. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio states Ukraine's Starlink access is managed…
- Keywords: marco rubio, starlink, ukraine, elon musk, space x, white house, starshield, news, world, access, decision, Musk
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/starlink-access-in-ukraine-a-decision-for-musk-not-white-house-rubio-says
- Published: 2026-10-21T07:46:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: marco rubio, starlink, ukraine, elon musk, space x, white house, starshield, news, world
## Rubio's statement
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine's Starlink access decisions rest with SpaceX and Elon Musk, not the White House.

> i'm not aware that we knew about this decision beforehand. but that's irrelevant
## Starlink slowdown reported
The Wall Street Journal reported Musk ordered a slowdown of Ukraine's military-grade Starlink service.

> the wall street journal reported on tuesday that musk had ordered the slowdown of a military-grade version of starlink that ukraine relies on to defend itself against missile attacks from russia
## White House claims
Two US officials and a Western official say the White House ordered the Starlink slowdown, but Zelenskiy denies this.

> reuters has cited two us officials and a western official briefed on the matter saying the decision ultimately came from the white house
## Rubio's clarification
Rubio states Ukraine never had Starshield access and the slowdown was a commercial decision, not a White House action.

> rubio suggested on saturday that ukraine never had access to starshield in the first place
## Key takeaway

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio states Ukraine's Starlink access is managed by SpaceX and Elon Musk, not the White House.