21st Oct 2026 12:59
(Alliance News) - Andy Burnham has voiced concern over restrictions placed on Ukraine's use of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communications system.
The prime minister said the UK was working to "bring back all sides" behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid questions about US backing for the war-torn country.
Strained relations between Washington and Kyiv have sparked fears America could stop intelligence sharing with Kyiv, and saw Ukraine face speed limits on the military component of Starlink.
Musk has suggested the order to impose caps on the system came from the White House but the Wall Street Journal reported that the tech billionaire was behind the slowdown.
Asked about the reports by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, and whether he would work with European allies to stop Musk getting operational licences to prevent the continent becoming more dependent on his system, Burnham told MPs: "Of course, I have concerns about any move that diminishes the military capability of Ukraine in the position in which it finds itself at this moment in time.
"Of course, he is right about that, and I am sure that sentiment is echoed right around this country. But it is a situation that is currently fragile and needs careful handling."
He said that "at this moment in time, I think we need to handle the situation carefully, so that we can bring back all sides to get the support behind President Zelensky and Ukraine".
"And I can assure him, the UK government is working on every single level to bring that about," Burnham said.
It comes after a week in which relations between the US and Ukraine have deteriorated sharply in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel in a bid to cut fuel prices ahead of challenging midterm elections.
Since then, Trump has suggested Zelensky should be replaced, declined to say whether Russia was responsible for the war and, on Friday, used his executive powers to block a major sanctions package he had previously supported.
The row has also sparked fears the US would stop intelligence sharing with Kyiv, and saw Ukraine's access to the military component of Musk's Starlink satellite communications system restricted.
Ukraine relies on Starlink to help intercept Russian missile and drone attacks, but faced speed limits last week that significantly curtailed its ability to do so.
The US president has denied the order to impose speed limits on Ukraine's Starlink access came from the White House.
By Press Association Political Staff
Press Association: News
source: PA
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