Speaking to reporters on the evening of 17 October ahead of a visit to Uzbekistan, Rubio said the US government had not instructed anyone to restrict the service. "No one gave an order to reduce the speed of Starlink. It just happened. But as far as I understand, the system's operation has been restored," he said, according to BBC Russian.
Zelensky had said the maximum speed at which Starlink terminals keep working on moving devices is 161 km per hour, after which the connection "cuts out completely" and troops lose the drone. He described the limits as a planned operation, saying Ukraine sent several cars carrying Starlink terminals into European Union territory, where they travelled at 180 km per hour and the connection held. "The restrictions apply on the territory of Ukraine and do not apply on the territory of EU countries," he said, according to the BBC.
Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions began overnight on 14 October and hampered the operation of unmanned systems and logistics. On 15 October the ministry said the system's operation in field conditions had resumed.
According to DW, a senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Kyiv had received no explanation from the US about the speed limits. "We see this as a signal about possible further restrictive measures," the official said.
Who initiated the restrictions remains the subject of conflicting reports. The Telegraph, citing four sources, reported that SpaceX head Elon Musk proposed slowing Starshield speeds in Ukraine to US President Donald Trump, after which the Pentagon imposed limits. Reuters, citing its sources, reported that the order came from the White House. On 16 October Trump said that neither he nor Musk had given such an order.
Rubio also said the Starshield military package is currently unavailable to Ukraine and that talks are under way on the terms of its possible use. He said Kyiv had requested access in order to strike deep inside Russia but had not received permission. DW noted that the Ukrainian side had itself previously pointed to problems specifically with Starshield.
Separately, Rubio commented on Trump's refusal to apply sanctions against Russia provided for under the Lindsey Graham law. He said the administration needs 60 days to analyse how the measures would affect the global economy. The secretary of state said the proposed measures affect not only Russia but also tariffs on third countries such as India.
Accounts diverge: Zelensky maintains that Starlink speeds in Ukraine were limited deliberately and that the restrictions do not apply in the EU, while Rubio denies this, saying no order was given and that the system's operation has been restored. Ukrainian officials and some media outlets have spoken of restrictions on Starshield, whereas Rubio said that package was never available to Ukraine at all.