Fearing that Star Shield will be cut off again, Ukraine hopes to renew its contract with the United States as soon as possible

The Ukrainian military's use of the SpaceX satellite network service was suddenly limited last month, bringing the military version of Starshield into the spotlight. Uzbek officials said on the 5th that the use contract signed between Uzbekistan and the US government will expire in the middle of next year, and Kiev is seeking to start renewal negotiations as soon as possible.

StarShield is the military version of SpaceX's satellite network "Starlink". Reuters reported on the 5th that Denys Sienik, charge d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States, told the Defense Journalists Group (DWG) in Washington, "The Star Shield contract expires next year. We understand that negotiating a renewal will take time." Therefore, we hope to start negotiations now. "Now is the time."

Sijenik did not disclose the exact month when the contract expires, only saying that it will be in the middle of next year. He said that basically Ukraine wants to clarify "whether it can continue and the relevant conditions."

Last month, the Ukrainian army's use of Star Shield was suddenly restricted, which brought more attention to the important role played by Star Shield in the Ukrainian battlefield. Sijenik said that Ukraine has sought explanations from the U.S. government, including the Pentagon, the White House and SpaceX, which provides Star Shield services, but "no one has given an answer."

Last month, a group of Democratic members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter to SpaceX CEO Musk, asking him to speak out about the Star Shield speed limit incident; senior lawmakers also promised to conduct a broader investigation into U.S. aid to Ukraine.

The Star Shield dispute is one of a series of recent developments in U.S.-Ukrainian relations that have unsettled Kyiv. Ukraine has also recently complained about its inability to obtain U.S. intelligence on Russian missile attacks and delays in the U.S. Patriot and NASAMS missile systems needed to supplement Ukraine's air defense.