Key points from the recent developments include:

• The U.S. may cut Ukraine's access to Starlink services if an agreement on critical minerals isn't reached.
• Ukraine's reliance on Starlink for military operations has sparked concerns about potential service termination.
• Negotiations continue amidst rising tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The United States is reportedly applying pressure on Ukraine to finalize a mineral deal by threatening to cut off the country’s access to Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX and Elon Musk. As negotiations stall, U.S. sources suggest that Ukraine's continued access to this critical service, vital for both military operations and civilian communications, might be jeopardized. Discussions surrounding access to Starlink intensified following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's rejection of a U.S. proposal to allocate 50% of Ukraine's critical mineral resources to American firms to help repay military aid.

According to sources, during a meeting between U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskyy, Ukraine was warned that failure to secure a minerals agreement could result in an imminent cutoff of Starlink access. "Losing Starlink would be a game changer," warns Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, emphasizing that the system is crucial for the operational capacity of Ukrainian drones amidst ongoing conflicts with Russia.

Zelenskyy's administration has consistently resisted U.S. demands for extensive mineral concessions, including a $500 billion mineral agreement, citing insufficient security guarantees from Washington. This discord has escalated recently, with Trump expressing suspicion regarding Zelenskyy's leadership, branding him as "a dictator without elections," further complicating U.S.-Ukraine relations.

While negotiations are ongoing, with Trump voicing optimism for a swift deal, tensions remain high. The potential ramifications of cutting off access to Starlink highlight the intersection of military strategy and international diplomacy in this critical period for both Ukraine and the United States.

For further context, visit Newsweek and India Times.