# Streeting urges US to back Ukraine after Starlink row

> UK defence secretary seeks to cool tensions and argues supporting Kyiv is in America's economic interests.
- Title: Streeting urges US to back Ukraine after Starlink row
- Summary: UK defence secretary seeks to cool tensions and argues supporting Kyiv is in America's economic interests. UK defence secretary Wes Streeting urged the US to…
- Keywords: wes streeting, ukraine, starlink, pete hegseth, us defence policy, uk defence policy, russia, news, world, Streeting, urges, back
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/15/wes-streeting-us-support-ukraine--washington-visit
- Published: 2026-10-15T18:09:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wes streeting, ukraine, starlink, pete hegseth, us defence policy, uk defence policy, russia, news, world
## Streeting arrives in Washington
UK defence secretary Wes Streeting visited the US capital to meet Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, amid tensions over Ukraine and the Starlink row.
## The Starlink decision
On Monday, the US government suddenly limited Starlink use by Ukraine's military. At about one am, Ukrainian soldiers reported that drone terminals no longer worked at speeds greater than one hundred mph.
## Impact on Ukraine's war effort
The change led to a dramatic halt to mid-strike drone attacks on targets in Russian occupied territories on the frontline, and concerns about Ukraine's ability to intercept new Russian jet-powered attack craft.
## Streeting's case for US support
Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Streeting argued that supporting Ukraine was in America's long-term interests and a business opportunity for the future defence-industrial relationship.
## Why Ukraine matters to America
Streeting told the US audience: Ukraine may be thousands of miles from American shores, but if aggression is rewarded, if borders can be redrawn by force, the consequences will not remain confined to Ukraine.

> Ukraine may be thousands of miles from American shores, but if aggression is rewarded, if borders can be redrawn by force, if the sovereignty of nations becomes negotiable, the consequences will not remain confined to Ukraine or to my continent
## Trump's pressure on Ukraine
Trump has been trying to pressure Ukraine to halt bombing of Russian oil refineries to reduce world oil prices before US midterm elections. He agreed to buy diesel from Russia earlier this month.
## Zelenskyy's response
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he felt personally betrayed by Donald Trump after the US government appeared to have throttled Starlink. Ukrainian officials also reported US threats to cut intelligence sharing.
## Key takeaway

UK defence secretary Wes Streeting urged the US to maintain support for Ukraine during a Washington visit, seeking to ease tensions after the US government limited Starlink access to Ukrainian forces.