Update: Trump denies restricting Ukraine's Starshield access as senators call for an investigation

US President Donald Trump has denied ordering restrictions on Ukraine's access to Starshield, the military-oriented satellite network linked to Starlink. He said he was not responsible and did not believe Elon Musk was responsible either. Musk has said Starshield is managed by the US government, while Reuters, citing unnamed officials, reported that the order came from inside the White House.

Reports also differ on whether normal service has been fully restored. Ukraine's defence ministry said Starlink could be used as usual, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said normal speeds had not yet returned. Starlink is a civilian internet service operated by SpaceX, while Starshield is designed for military use. Reported speed restrictions affected Ukrainian drones and raised concerns about the country's ability to defend against Russian attacks.

A bipartisan group of US senators has called for an investigation into the disruptions. Meanwhile, European leaders have pledged continued support, including help with satellite and early-warning systems. Ukraine has also requested substantial funding for defence and weapons for the coming year.

The central questions remain unresolved: who ordered the restrictions, why they were imposed, and how fully their effects have been reversed. Trump's denial is an important development, but it does not independently establish what happened. Claims that the restrictions were politically motivated remain unproven in the reports available.