CNBC_ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is acting "extremely recklessly" by accusing the U.S. government of being behind the slowdown of satellite communication services provided by SpaceX, which Ukraine uses in its war against Russia.
In remarks to NBC's "Meet the Press", Bessent said that President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio categorically confirmed that no official in the Trump administration was involved in this move, adding that Zelenskyy's accusation against the U.S. government is "extremely reckless".
The Starlink internet service in Ukraine was recently restricted, impeding the country's ability to counter Russian attacks. Ukraine utilizes Starshield, the military and government-grade version of the commercial Starlink service, in its military operations.
Bessent added that Zelenskyy must exercise extreme caution when making statements of this nature, stressing that they are "untrue".
Starlink, the high-speed satellite internet service provided by billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, is a vital component of Ukraine's defenses. Musk mentioned in a post on the X platform last week that the U.S. government and President Donald Trump bear "ultimate responsibility" for any slowdown in the military version of the service, known as Starshield.
Musk wrote that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government, clarifying that the U.S. military decides on any speed or usage restrictions, and that ultimate responsibility lies with the President of the United States.
Reuters reported last week that the White House had issued orders imposing these technical restrictions, but Trump denied responsibility for the slowdown.
Trump stated last week that he did not know if another party was responsible for the matter, but affirmed he was not responsible for it, expressing his belief that Elon Musk was not responsible either, and noting that, according to his understanding, the situation remains as it has always been.
Relations between the United States and Ukraine have come under intense scrutiny during Trump's second term, as he has taken critical stances toward Kyiv while pushing toward a peace agreement.
Recently, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, amid pressure he faces due to rising gasoline and diesel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. He also held Zelenskyy personally responsible for the surge in energy prices, stating that he wants to "create problems for the world" and cause trouble for American farmers and ranchers regarding diesel fuel.
According to the report, the sharp rise in energy prices is mostly attributed to the U.S. war with Iran, which has caused severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and hindered oil shipments from the Arabian Gulf.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States reached approximately $4.30 on Sunday, while the price of a gallon of diesel reached about $6.32, nearly 20 cents shy of the record high set in September.
