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Hegseth Denies US Restricted Starshield or Changed Military Support for Ukraine
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that Washington had changed its policy toward Ukraine, stating that the Pentagon had issued no directives restricting satellite communications or military support, Anadolu Agency reported on October 20.
Speaking to reporters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Hegseth addressed reports that the Pentagon was delaying transfers of Patriot missile interceptors from allied countries to Ukraine.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously raised concerns over both issues, stating that Ukraine received no advance warning before five Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv and criticizing restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield operations. He stressed that early intelligence on ballistic launches is critical for protecting civilians, while separately warning that limits on satellite connectivity were disrupting Ukrainian military operations.
“There’s a lot of things that have been said in the press that are not true about the Department of War,” Hegseth stated.
“We haven’t changed our posture in any way toward the Ukrainians, but certainly with things like interceptors, we want to make sure our guys have the most possible as well,” he added.
Hegseth noted that Zelenskyy was aware of the situation, Anadolu Agency wrote.
Asked whether the unchanged US policy also applied to coverage provided by the Starshield satellite network, Hegseth stated that Washington had not withdrawn support.
“We haven’t pulled anything back. There are terms of service that ultimately need to be complied with, and that’s where Starlink has the option to make those decisions,” he stated, according to Anadolu Agency.
“But nothing’s changed from our view. We haven’t made any directives or anything like that. And we wish the Ukrainians obviously success,” Hegseth added.
The remarks come after Ukrainian officials reported that a substantial shipment of Patriot interceptors, already paid for by Ukraine’s allies, was awaiting Hegseth’s approval. One official stated that the contracts were “on his desk” and had not yet been signed off.
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