16.10.2026 20:41
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that when the speed limits of Starshield, the military version of Starlink, were lowered, they became unable to shoot down some Shahed UAVs. Speaking after the EU Leaders' Summit in Brussels, Zelensky said that the speed limits had not yet returned to their previous state, but were beginning to be restored. Zelensky also mentioned that most of the Patriot missiles had been sent to the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the reduction of the speed limit of the Starshield service, the military version of the US-provided satellite system Starlink, said, “When the speed limits were lowered, we became unable to shoot down certain Shahed UAVs. That is why we can no longer use one of the tools we used to protect civilians. This was very painful and unpleasant. Have the previous speed limits been restored? No. But are they now being restored? Yes.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answered questions from press members after the meetings he attended within the framework of the European Union (EU) Leaders’ Summit held in Brussels. In response to the question of whether there is any change regarding the use of Russia’s frozen assets in Europe for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, “We are raising this issue. Last year, we thank all EU leaders for the decision on a loan totaling 90 billion euros, including 45 billion euros annually, to support Ukraine. Our message on frozen assets is that what matters is that Russia does not have control over these assets in the future. We know they want to get these assets back; this is among Russia’s goals.”
HE ASKED EUROPE FOR ANOTHER 70 BILLION EUROS
Zelenskyy also called on European leaders, saying, “The cost of the war next year will be 155 billion euros, and for our defense, armament, and resilience we need at least 70 billion euros more from you. This is a realistic, yes, realistic amount. I ask you to find this support. This will help us push Russia back.”
PATRIOT MISSILES
In response to the question of whether the claims that Ukraine has no Patriot missiles left are true, Zelenskyy replied, “We are receiving PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles (used in Patriot systems) from the US through Ukraine’s Priority Needs List (PURL) program. All of them are financed by Europe. So these are not gifts or free. Right now, most PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles are being sent to the Middle East. It is known to everyone that we are not a priority in the process of sending these missiles.” Zelenskyy stated that they obtain missiles not only from the US but also from other countries.
HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES WITH INTELLIGENCE FROM THE US
In response to the question of whether work is being carried out with European partners on a system that could replace the Starlink satellite service provided by SpaceX, Zelenskyy replied, “We are not talking about replacing Starlink with another system. We are working with some countries, including France, to obtain additional capabilities.” Zelenskyy said, “As for intelligence sharing, many countries share intelligence with us. We are talking about dozens of countries. We have created a working channel and quite strong support is being provided. The information we receive from the US concerns ballistic missile launches. Here you can see that many difficulties have been experienced, especially regarding ballistic missiles. I want to emphasize that we are working on all possibilities to make Ukraine as independent as possible.”
STARLINK SPEED HAS NOT FULLY RETURNED TO ITS PREVIOUS STATE
Regarding the situation of the Starlink satellite service, which has been the subject of much speculation, Zelenskyy said, “Let me try to explain how we use Starlink. Certain speed levels are needed. It might be thought that Ukraine uses Starlink to attack targets deep inside Russia. But no, that is not the case. We do not use Starlink to attack targets on Russian territory or for retaliation. Therefore, we contacted SpaceX and the White House and asked them to make this capability usable for us again. Because in the area where we used the system, we had lost this capability. This was a very dangerous and unpleasant surprise for us. We were using Starlink to prevent jet-powered Shahed UAVs that attack civilian infrastructure and kill our families. We were using high-speed special interception vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles that move thanks to Starlink. Starlink was not turned off, but the speed limits were lowered. When the speed limits were lowered, we became unable to shoot down certain Shahed UAVs. That is why we can no longer use one of the tools we used to protect civilians. This was very painful and unpleasant.” The Ukrainian leader said, “Second, we use it for medium-range strikes on military targets. Therefore, we are no longer able to do this either. Third, most important for us are people. Many people are within range of enemy UAVs. We use UAVs and Starlink to deliver food and water to people in these positions. That is what is happening. We are deprived of logistical capabilities and the ability to protect the civilian population.” Stating that they are in constant contact with the US and that messages have come from the White House that these capabilities will be restored, Zelenskyy said, “Have the previous speed limits been restored? No. But are they now being restored? Yes.”
THERE ARE ENOUGH PATRIOT INTERCEPTOR MISSILES IN EUROPE FOR UKRAINE TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER
In response to the question of whether today he received a commitment from European partners to supply interceptor missiles to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that European partners would support Ukraine, but the amount is not yet known. Zelenskyy said, “There are enough Patriot interceptor missiles in Europe for Ukraine to get through this winter. There is that amount of missiles in Europe.” Zelenskyy stated that work also continues with European partners on developing their own anti-ballistic missile systems.
To a question about Europe’s efforts in the peace process, Zelenskyy replied, “I believe Europe has taken certain steps to create a process that will also represent our interests and to find a format in which we can talk with the Russians.” The Ukrainian President also said they would like there to be multiple peace processes to find a solution to the war.
RUSSIA-US DIESEL AGREEMENT
Referring also to the diesel agreement made by US President Trump’s administration with Russia, Zelenskyy said, “This was an arrangement we were unaware of. The lifting of sanctions was also a surprise to everyone.” Recalling that they immediately supported the energy ceasefire proposed by the US, Zelenskyy said, “My proposal to the US side was as follows: ‘Okay, we are partners. Okay, we understand that you need this (diesel agreement). Even if all analyses say it will not affect prices, you decided that you need it. But they will attack our power grid. If there is not to be an energy ceasefire, give us anti-ballistic missiles so we can protect our energy facilities. Do not give too many. Give us enough for as long as you need the diesel agreement to continue.’ I did not get these.”
Therefore, this situation looks strange," he said. Zelenskyy, who said they were in constant contact with the American negotiating team regarding improving relations with the US, said, "We will continue to live, to fight, and most importantly, to live with our honor. How you live when life is so terrible during war is very important. It is very important that you preserve your honor."
MEETING WITH THE HUNGARIAN LEADER
After his first meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar on the sidelines of the EU Leaders' Summit, Zelenskyy, asked about the possibility of visiting Hungary, said that they were grateful to the new Hungarian government because Hungary also supports Ukraine opening new chapters in its EU accession process. Zelenskyy also said he was not opposed to the idea of visiting Hungary.
I DON'T BELIEVE DONBASS WILL BE ENOUGH FOR THEM
Asked about US President Trump's remarks that reaching an agreement with him is harder than reaching an agreement with Putin, Zelenskyy said, "I only defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." Zelenskyy, who said Putin does not want negotiations in any format, said, "He does not want the war to end. That is why I do not believe Donbass will be enough for them."
Bringing the conversation back to the diesel agreement, Zelenskyy said, "I think we cannot accept these agreements. Because natural gas agreements will follow. I am sure of it. After natural gas, sanctions in other areas will be lifted. Then the banking system, sanctions on certain individuals, and the chemical industry will follow. If I don't oppose these, who will?"
Zelenskyy, who said that the issue in the war in Ukraine is not just Ukraine withdrawing from Donbass, stated, "The issue is our country's existence. We are currently standing and fighting. What is the alternative? Our destruction."
PUTIN WANTS TO DESTROY US
Emphasizing that the war began with the near occupation of Kyiv, Zelenskyy said, "Is Kyiv in the east of our country? In Donbass? No, it is our capital. A state cannot exist without a capital. He wants to destroy us. Putin wants to destroy us." Zelenskyy said, "They are killing us on our land. They came to our land and continue to advance. They do not want to stop. As you can see, they do not even want to stop the conflict. So is what they want really part of our country? For such a person, this will never be enough. Never. What will happen next? Where will he stop? Now he is testing European countries, NATO member countries, with UAVs."
HE RESPONDED WITH A SMILE TO THE QUESTION ABOUT TRUMP DECLARING HIM A SCAPEGOAT
Zelenskyy, after remaining silent for a while in the face of the question of whether he was being declared a scapegoat because US President Donald Trump is facing a difficult midterm election, his popularity is very low, the war he started in the Middle East is not going as he wanted, and diesel prices in the US are very high, responded with a smile, "That is my answer."
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