World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
UK prime minister stresses Ukraine's need for full Starlink access in call with Trump
UK Prime Minister Burnham spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on October 23.
Burnham stressed Ukraine's need for full Starlink access for its military, which is fighting Russia's invasion.
Starlink is a US satellite communications network.
The call focused on support for Ukraine as the war continues.
Burnham praised Trump's efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to peace talks.
The two leaders agreed to work with international partners toward ending the war.
They also discussed Britain's approval of drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, which Trump praised.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stressed the importance of Ukraine having full access to Starlink in a call with US President Donald Trump on Oct. 23.
Downing Street said Burnham described the satellite system as key to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
The leaders agreed to work with international partners to help end the bloodshed, according to Downing Street.
They also discussed the UK government’s approval of drilling at a controversial North Sea gas field.
- Who
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Burnham stressed the importance of Ukraine having full access to Starlink. The leaders also discussed ending the war and North Sea gas drilling.
- When
- Oct. 23, 2026.
- Where
- The leaders spoke by phone. The location of the call was not stated.
- Why
- Ukraine relies on Starlink as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion and has reported service speed limits.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The UK government announced it would start drilling in a controversial North Sea gas field.
Trump said Musk had restored access to Starlink, amid confusion about the communications systems.
Burnham and Trump spoke by phone, including about Ukraine’s need for full Starlink access.
Trump said he would speak to Musk if problems with the services continued.
- Call date
- Oct. 23, 2026
- Participants
- Andy Burnham and Donald Trump
- Satellite system
- Starlink
- UK gas field
- Jackdaw, in the North Sea
- Ukraine's reported issue
- Speed limits on Starlink systems over the previous week
3 sources
What people are saying
can continue to defend themselves against Russia’s full-scale invasion
That’s gonna make the UK a very rich country
Posts on X
Q: Have you told Elon Musk to stop messing around with Ukraine's Starlink connection? TRUMP: I have not spoken to him. I might have to, but I have not. I've heard it was fixed, but if it's not, I'll speak to him