Zelenskiy Says US Has Fully Restored Ballistic Missile Warnings and Starshield Speeds for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Washington has fully resumed its warnings about incoming Russian ballistic missile strikes, a service that is critical to Ukraine’s air defences, after recent problems. Reuters reported his remarks, which he made on Ukrainian television channel TSN. He also said SpaceX’s Starshield satellite internet has run at full speed since early Saturday morning, after it was throttled earlier in October amid diplomatic pressure on Kyiv from Washington. Zelenskiy credited both changes to his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo.

Oil Refinery Strikes and Starshield Conditions

The US has pushed Ukraine to stop hitting Russian oil refineries, arguing the attacks add to high energy prices, a sensitive issue for the Trump administration during its war on Iran and ahead of next month’s midterm elections. Zelenskiy said Kyiv would halt the strikes only if Moscow stops attacking Ukraine’s power infrastructure, if the US allows Starshield to be used over Russia to locate ballistic missile launch sites, or if Washington supplies Patriot missiles.

Ukraine Peace Talks and Territory Red Line

Technical talks between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington are planned for November. Zelenskiy said Ukraine will not discuss limits on its armed forces or forced post war neutrality, and Kyiv has long sought NATO membership despite resistance from some members. He renewed his call for a US-brokered meeting with Vladimir Putin, arguing that Putin alone can make major decisions on ending the war. Russia occupies nearly 20% of Ukraine, and Zelenskiy called the question of territory a red line that only leaders can discuss.