Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Blasts Zelensky’s ‘Reckless’ Accusations Against Trump Administration Over Starlink Restrictions

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday after the Ukrainian leader accused President Trump’s administration of deliberately restricting satellite communications used by Ukrainian military forces.

Bessent called the accusations “reckless” and warned Zelensky against making claims about American officials that the White House has repeatedly denied.

The confrontation unfolded during separate appearances on NBC’s Meet the Press, where Zelensky alleged that the United States had ordered restrictions on Starshield, the military version of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications network.

“President Trump and Secretary Rubio have categorically said that no one in the Trump administration did that,” Bessent declared. “And I think it is very reckless for President Zelensky to make such a charge.”

The Treasury secretary made clear that he was unwilling to accept Zelensky’s accusations without further evidence.

“I don’t know anything about that, but we’ve been very clear,” Bessent added. “And, you know, President Zelensky should be very careful about making statements like this that aren’t true.”

The dispute centers on restrictions affecting satellite internet connections aboard fast-moving Ukrainian military equipment, particularly drones used in combat against Russian forces.

Ukrainian officials say the system now stops functioning when equipment travels faster than approximately 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour.

That limitation has reportedly interfered with Ukrainian drone operations, including missions involving Russian military positions and efforts to intercept incoming Russian attack drones.

Zelensky insisted Sunday that the restrictions remain in effect despite earlier indications that service was being restored.

“We still have a limitation,” the Ukrainian president said, emphasizing that the speed restriction was measured in kilometers rather than miles.

He also suggested that the restrictions were intended to send a political message from Washington.

The accusation comes during an increasingly public disagreement between President Trump and Zelensky over the direction of the war and American efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Trump has urged Ukraine to reduce attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, arguing that continued strikes against oil facilities complicate diplomatic negotiations and contribute to instability in international energy markets.

Zelensky has resisted pressure to curtail those operations, maintaining that Russian energy infrastructure helps finance Moscow’s military campaign.

The satellite communications controversy has further complicated relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Starshield is a specialized satellite communications service developed by SpaceX for government and national security customers. It operates using the company’s broader Starlink satellite network.

The system has become an important component of Ukraine’s military operations, providing communications and guidance capabilities in areas where conventional infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted.

Ukrainian military officials say restrictions on high-speed connections have affected the performance of drones that rely on satellite communications during flight.

Questions remain about who authorized the restrictions and whether they originated with SpaceX, American military officials or another part of the federal government.

Musk initially faced accusations that his company had independently limited the service.

However, he subsequently pointed out that Starshield systems are controlled by the United States government and indicated that decisions about their operational restrictions ultimately rest with American authorities.

Reuters reported Thursday that two American officials and a Western official familiar with the matter said an instruction to slow the service originated inside the White House.

Those officials did not identify who made the decision or who implemented it.

President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have denied that the administration ordered the restrictions.

Bessent reinforced those denials Sunday while acknowledging that he did not personally know what caused the satellite service limitations.

The conflicting accounts have left unresolved questions about the decision-making process behind the restrictions.

Zelensky has also complained about a temporary interruption in American intelligence sharing, saying Ukrainian forces went several days without certain warnings about incoming Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The Ukrainian president confirmed Sunday that the intelligence-sharing arrangement has since resumed.

“We are very thankful for this,” Zelensky said, acknowledging that the United States was once again providing the information.

The intelligence is particularly important because Ukraine relies heavily on American surveillance capabilities to detect ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces.

Bessent emphasized that Washington continues providing Ukraine with forms of military assistance unavailable to Russia, including intelligence support and American weapons purchased by other countries for transfer to Ukrainian forces.

He also challenged Zelensky’s framing of the conflict, arguing that the immediate priority should be reaching a negotiated settlement rather than insisting on an outright military victory.

“Zelensky presents a false binary this morning that Ukraine must win,” Bessent said. “The war must end, and that will be with some kind of a negotiated settlement.”

The Treasury secretary’s remarks reflect President Trump’s continued emphasis on diplomacy as the administration attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine toward an agreement.

Trump has repeatedly argued that prolonging the conflict risks additional casualties, economic disruption and a broader international confrontation.

The administration has also defended recent decisions involving Russian energy sanctions, which have generated objections from Ukrainian officials.

Zelensky criticized Washington’s decision to waive certain sanctions on Russia and pursue an arrangement involving Russian diesel imports, arguing that those actions could weaken pressure on Moscow.

Bessent defended the administration’s approach, maintaining that American sanctions against major Russian energy companies remain significant and that the president must consider broader economic and diplomatic consequences.

Trump addressed those concerns Sunday, explaining that his decisions were intended to avoid driving Russia away from negotiations.

The president has sought to balance pressure on Moscow with efforts to keep diplomatic channels open, even as Ukrainian officials continue demanding stronger measures against Russia.

Zelensky expressed concern that American decisions could benefit Moscow and warned that Ukraine would face enormous difficulties if Washington shifted its support toward Russia.

He nevertheless said he hoped Trump would continue working with Ukraine.

The latest confrontation follows discussions involving Trump administration envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who have been involved in efforts to pursue a diplomatic resolution.

Those talks have taken place against the backdrop of continued military operations and disagreements over strikes against energy infrastructure.

For now, the satellite restrictions remain a point of contention, with Ukrainian officials reporting operational problems while senior American officials deny ordering the limitations.

Bessent’s warning makes clear that the administration is pushing back against Zelensky’s public accusations, particularly when they involve decisions attributed directly to President Trump.

The disagreement also highlights the increasingly difficult relationship between Washington and Kyiv as the White House presses for a negotiated end to the war.

With military operations continuing and diplomatic discussions unresolved, the dispute over Starshield has become another obstacle in efforts to restore cooperation between the two governments.