Trump says Musk has restored Ukraine's internet access

Elon Musk has restored Ukraine's internet access, Donald Trump has remarked.

Key points

• The US outlet documented that Trump informed Musk he was frustrated the Starlink system's speeds were still capped at around 160km/h, according to authorities.
• The US president was speaking hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked connectivity.
• Ukraine relies on Starlink – owned by Musk's SpaceX firm – for a range of battle communications and early warning systems during Russian missile attacks.
• The connectivity restrictions came as Trump put pressure on Zelensky to stop attacking Russian oil refineries.
• Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky remarked the speed of the system employed by Ukraine's military had still not been restored fully.

Meanwhile, the US president was speaking hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked connectivity. It is provided by Musk's satellite-based Starlink system, had yet to be fully restored.

Musk has previously denied he was behind the slowdown. It affects Ukraine's ability to employ drones to attack Russia.

Trump refused to be drawn on a report he had put pressure on Musk to restore access to the service, but when asked regarding it stated: "Bottom line, he put it back."

Notably, the Trump administration has previously insisted it did not instruct Musk's firm to restrict access.

For context, the connectivity restrictions came as Trump put pressure on Zelensky to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. It he has argued have caused rates to rise.

Faced with midterm elections next month, Trump has waived some sanctions on Russia and agreed a accord to import Russian diesel for the US market – a move which has been criticised by Ukraine and its European allies.

Speaking at a press conference, he remarked the speed "has not been restored to 400 yet", adding: "We are working on it."

He continued: "I am waiting to hear from US Secretary of State Rubio. He promised to obtain back to me with information within 48 hours or so."

For context, the Ukrainian president created the comments shortly before the Wall Street Journal, external noted that Trump called Musk and asked him to lift restrictions on Ukraine's employ of Starlink.

Meanwhile, the US outlet documented that Trump informed Musk he was frustrated the Starlink system's speeds were still capped at around 160km/h, according to authorities.

For context, the speed limit created Ukraine's offensive drones and interceptors powerless against Russian attacks.

Meanwhile, the journal documented that the system was working more normally on Thursday, shortly after their conversation.

BBC News has not confirmed the Wall Street Journal's report. It has additionally contacted the White House and SpaceX to ask for an explanation.

Ukraine first documented an interruption to US intelligence sharing on 14 October.

Musk remarked last week that the US administration ultimately controls access to Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink which Ukraine uses for some of its operation. He remarked the system was designed for the Pentagon, suggesting it may therefore be behind the restrictions.

In practice, the White House has repeatedly remarked it did not order access to be restricted.

In short, trump says Musk has restored Ukraine' s internet access is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.