The Atlantic reports Zelensky asked Trump to expand Starlink for drone strikes inside Russia
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The Atlantic reported Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Donald Trump during a closed White House meeting on July 28 to secure Elon Musk’s permission to use Starlink satellite guidance for drone strikes inside Russia. Trump told Zelensky he would consider the request and speak with Musk, but gave no timeline or commitment, while Musk declined a requested meeting with the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky's Appeal
During the July 28 closed meeting that lasted just over an hour, Zelensky pressed Trump to persuade Musk to expand Starlink’s use for guiding Ukrainian drones against targets deep inside Russia, The Atlantic reported, citing three officials familiar with the talk. Currently, Musk’s SpaceX limits Starlink service to Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and Russian-occupied areas, barring its use on Russian soil. Kyiv has relied on less reliable AI-based navigation systems for long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure such as oil refineries and depots. Zelensky argued that hitting smaller, mobile targets—particularly ballistic missile batteries used to shell Ukraine—requires Starlink’s precision. He characterized the measure as an alternative to receiving more Patriot air-defense interceptors.
Musk and Trump Responses
Zelensky also requested a meeting with billionaire Elon Musk during his U.S. visit to discuss the plan, but Musk declined the offer, according to one source. Trump told Zelensky he would consider the requests and speak with Musk, but provided no timeline or final decision. The Atlantic noted that Trump’s decision will likely hinge on whether he believes Starlink expansion could accelerate the end of the war. If Trump determines the move could pressure President Vladimir Putin into negotiations, he may approve it; otherwise, the answer is expected to be negative. Later, Zelensky described the meeting as 'good' and said they discussed licensing for Patriot interceptor production and diplomatic efforts to end the war.
What's Next
Trump is expected to discuss the matter with Musk, but no date has been set. It remains unclear whether Trump will grant Zelensky's request, as the decision may depend on its perceived impact on bringing about peace negotiations.
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The Atlantic reports Zelensky asked Trump to expand Starlink for drone strikes inside Russia
