Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused SpaceX of failing to provide clear explanations for speed restrictions affecting its Starshield satellite communications network, warning that the limits are disrupting efforts to intercept Russian attack drones.

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had faced restrictions for five days, with Starshield terminals limited to a maximum speed of 161 kilometres per hour in areas occupied by Russian forces.

In comments released on Saturday, he said SpaceX had described the restrictions as a technical issue, but Kyiv was not convinced by that explanation.

“The restrictions have now been in place for five days,” Zelenskyy said. “They say it is some kind of technical issue. We do not believe that is the case.”

The Ukrainian leader raised the issue during an address at the European Political Community summit in Dublin earlier this week. He said the limits were directly affecting Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian jet-powered attack drones.

“If someone in America is making decisions that basically treat Ukrainian territory as if it is not Ukrainian, then this tells us where things are going,” he told the summit.

On Friday, Zelenskyy said Kyiv had received no clear explanation for the restrictions. He instructed Ukraine’s foreign and defence ministries to intensify discussions with the US Department of State, the Pentagon and SpaceX to clarify the situation and seek a solution.

Starshield, SpaceX’s satellite communications service designed for government and defence users, has become an important part of Ukraine’s military communications infrastructure. It provides internet access and connectivity for Ukrainian forces operating across the battlefield.

The reported restrictions have raised concerns in Kyiv about the reliability of a service that has played a significant role in supporting military operations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Land concessions raised in peace discussions

The dispute comes as Ukraine continues diplomatic discussions with Washington and other Western partners over possible terms for ending the war.

Zelenskyy said the United States had raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership. He described it as the first time Washington had presented the proposal in those terms.

“The Americans raised a question: ‘What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’ This was the first time this had been raised,” he told reporters on Friday, according to comments reported by AFP.

The Donbas region in eastern Ukraine has been a major focus of fighting since Russia’s invasion. Moscow has sought control over the territory, while Kyiv has repeatedly rejected demands to surrender land.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was discussing specific security guarantees with NATO and the European Union. He added that he would consult the Ukrainian public if Western countries formally confirmed the proposed terms.

“I have no right to make that decision on my own,” he said.

The comments underline the challenges facing efforts to accelerate peace negotiations, with questions over territorial concessions, future security arrangements and continued Western military and technological support remaining central to the discussions.

Turkey and Qatar have signed a mutual defence agreement to strengthen military cooperation and prepare for potential external attacks, as the Iran war accelerates changes in security arrangements across the Gulf and wider Middle East.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed the agreement during a meeting in Istanbul on Friday, where they co-chaired the Supreme Strategic Committee between the two countries. The meeting also produced agreements covering trade, energy, diplomacy, education and culture.

A joint statement said the defence pact was intended to strengthen collective security, support regional stability and establish a common response to an external armed attack against either country or both.

The two sides agreed to consult on security threats and expand cooperation through joint military exercises, defence industry projects and exchanges of military personnel for training.

Erdogan said Turkey and Qatar would continue working to prevent another outbreak of conflict in the Gulf and promote dialogue and peace. His office described the agreement as a new stage in the countries’ close relationship and said it would expand cooperation in defence production.

The leaders also discussed Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, efforts to normalise relations in Syria and developments in Libya.

Regional defence partnerships expand

The agreement comes amid a wider reassessment of security arrangements following the war involving Iran. While Gulf governments continue to regard the United States’ military presence as central to their security, Washington’s signals of a broader strategic realignment have encouraged regional countries to strengthen other defence partnerships.

Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia have all taken steps towards closer military or defence industry cooperation in recent months.

In August, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, under which the three countries agreed to support one another if any came under attack. The pact was ratified by the Turkish parliament last week, bringing together NATO member Turkey, Pakistan, which possesses the Muslim world’s only nuclear arsenal, and Saudi Arabia, a major regional military and economic power.

Turkey has said the agreement is not directed against any country and remains open to additional participants, including Egypt.

Pakistan and Kuwait also signed a joint defence and military cooperation agreement in August.

In October, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia signed the Badr multilateral memorandum of understanding, focusing on cooperation in the defence industry.

The latest Turkey-Qatar agreement adds another layer to these emerging arrangements. Its emphasis on consultations, military exercises and defence production reflects efforts by regional governments to strengthen their ability to respond to security threats while maintaining existing international partnerships.

The developments point to a more varied regional security network, with countries pursuing closer bilateral and multilateral ties as uncertainty continues over the Gulf’s future security environment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Dublin on Thursday as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia continue.

The meeting is scheduled on the sidelines of the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit, hosted by Ireland, where leaders from more than 45 countries are gathering to discuss security and other strategic issues.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected to arrive from Moscow after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. They will brief Zelenskyy on the latest developments in negotiations, following two days of discussions in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy arrived in Dublin on Wednesday evening and met Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who expressed solidarity with Ukraine and condemned Russia’s continuing attacks.

Martin described the attacks as “barbarous” and “vile”, praising the Ukrainian people for their courage and resilience.

Zelenskyy thanked European representatives for their involvement in the Abu Dhabi discussions but insisted that Europe must have a direct role in negotiations concerning the continent’s future security arrangements.

“This war is in Ukraine, and ending this war without Europe’s participation would be unjust, and it would be impossible,” he said.

He called on European leaders to agree on a single representative to participate in future negotiations, arguing that a coordinated position was necessary as diplomatic discussions continue in November.

Kushner said in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday that he would seek Putin’s “blessing” for direct European involvement in the talks.

Zelenskyy is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and attend plenary sessions and a Friends of Ukraine gathering co-chaired by Martin and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Security tightened across Dublin

The summit is taking place under heightened security following a series of threats targeting schools, airlines and media organisations. Hoax bomb threats were sent to hundreds of schools in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Italy on Wednesday.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said Irish police were prepared for all eventualities, citing their equipment, training and operational plans.

Several protests are also planned along routes leading to Dublin’s Convention Centre, where the summit is being held. Kelly said police would facilitate peaceful demonstrations but act swiftly if criminal activity occurred.

The EPC was established in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It provides a forum for European leaders, including countries outside the European Union, to discuss shared political and security challenges.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is attending for the first time, alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Carney’s participation has been described by an EU official as a sign of Canada’s interest in closer security cooperation with Europe.

This year’s summit, themed “Europe: Strong, Secure and Connected”, will focus on competitiveness, energy security and connectivity. Migration is also expected to feature in discussions, with a joint statement anticipated from Italy, Denmark and the UK.

The meeting will be followed on Friday by an informal gathering of EU leaders, where divisions over Europe’s approach to Ukraine are expected to feature prominently.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently criticised the lack of coordination among European countries, urging European Council President António Costa to make Ukraine a priority. She warned that multiple diplomatic initiatives and competing voices risk undermining Europe’s credibility in negotiations with Russia.