Zelensky Claims America Indirectly Backs Russia in War

Ukraine has levelled serious allegations against the United States, claiming Washington is indirectly assisting Russia in the ongoing conflict. These accusations stem from what Kyiv describes as the withholding of crucial warnings regarding impending missile strikes and alleged disruptions to its military operations through adjustments to the Starlink satellite internet network, which is vital for Ukrainian forces.

In response to these issues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally appealed to American billionaire Elon Musk, urging him to reinstate full functionality of the Starlink service. Kyiv asserts that the system has suffered from diminished speeds, significantly hampering its battlefield activities. Speaking to British journalist Piers Morgan, President Zelensky expressed his hope, stating, “I hope that it’s a mistake, maybe a huge technical problem. I don’t know, but we are asking to do it, to switch (it) on.”

Subsequently, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former Defence Minister, confirmed that Starlink services were being restored to support speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour. This improvement, he noted, would allow both strike and interceptor drones to resume their operational flights.

President Zelensky also conveyed a sense of betrayal concerning former US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a diesel supply arrangement with Moscow, a nation still subject to extensive international sanctions. He articulated his distress, stating, “It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side. I think his advisors are wrong. I don’t know who is pushing him not to the right side. This is not (the) right side of history.”

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader had criticised what he termed an unjustified failure by allied nations to provide advance warnings to Kyiv before a wave of intense attacks occurred late on Tuesday and early Wednesday. Furthermore, he accused Russia of intentionally breaching an 'energy ceasefire' that had been unilaterally declared by Trump.

A high-ranking Ukrainian official corroborated that Washington had recently issued a threat to halt intelligence sharing pertaining to Russian missile launches – vital information Kyiv depends on for anticipating and neutralising incoming assaults. However, President Trump publicly denied these claims on Tuesday.

Defence officials in Ukraine additionally hinted that Washington bore responsibility for the reported slowdowns experienced by certain Starlink internet terminals. These systems are indispensable for Ukrainian forces conducting military operations in Russian-held territories and for operating interceptor drones. The senior official conveyed to reporters, asserting, “It’s obvious they (the United States) are helping Russia for some reason.”

Sergiy Beskrestnov, an advisor to President Zelensky, also contended that the simultaneous occurrence of the attacks and the reported Starlink limitations was no mere coincidence. On Telegram, he articulated his concern: “Through their actions, our partners are depriving us of one of the few chances we have to defend the country against jet-powered Shahed drones.”