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Rubio Denies US Role in Starlink Slowdown and Defends Russian Energy Waivers
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Firstpost•18-10-2026, 08:51
Rubio Denies US Role in Starlink Slowdown and Defends Russian Energy Waivers
- •US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed reports of a deliberate US slowdown of Starlink in Ukraine as categorically false.
- •Rubio clarified that Ukraine currently lacks access to Starshield, a military satellite communications system requested for deep strikes inside Russia.
- •Rubio defended the administration's 60-day Russian energy sanctions waivers, citing the need to assess global economic and energy impacts.
- •He noted that countries like India need time to diversify energy sources while remaining important US allies.
Key Questions Answered
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed reports of deliberate disruption by Washington as categorically false, stating that neither the White House nor the US government ordered any reduction in Starlink internet speeds.
Marco Rubio clarified that Starlink is a commercial satellite internet service used by Ukraine for its drones, whereas Starshield is a separate military-oriented product operated under a US military contract that Ukraine does not currently have access to.
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kyiv has requested access to the Starshield system specifically to conduct deep strikes inside of Russia.
