Burnham raises Ukraine’s Starlink access in Trump phone call

The new Prime Minister risked a clash with the US president by raising the sensitive issue of Elon Musk's satellite system during a phone call on Friday.

Starlink provides high-speed internet crucial for battlefield communications and drone warfare.

But Kyiv says its access has been restricted as Trump has moved closer to Putin over the war, raising fresh questions about Washington's support for Ukraine.

In a statement following the call, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States of America Donald Trump today.

"The Prime Minister underlined the importance for Ukraine to have full access to Starlink so they can continue to defend themselves against Russia's full-scale invasion.

"The Prime Minister recognised the work of President Trump to bring Putin to the negotiation table and the leaders agreed to work together, alongside international partners to bring an end to the bloodshed."

Musk has suggested the White House ordered the restrictions on Starlink, but the Wall Street Journal reported that the tech billionaire himself was behind the slowdown.

Burnham has said Britain is working to “bring back all sides” in support of Ukraine following a turbulent week in relations with the US.

Tensions have risen since Trump moved to ease sanctions on Russian diesel in an effort to lower fuel prices ahead of challenging midterm elections.

The US president has since suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should be replaced and refused to say whether Russia was responsible for the war.

Meanwhile, White House aide Steve Witkoff described Putin as a “humanitarian”, prompting a sharp response from Downing Street.

Rejecting the remarks on Thursday, No 10 said: “President Putin has killed thousands of people, both innocent Ukrainians and his own Russian people, who he has sent to their deaths on the front line.

“He is starving children and the elderly of the heat and warmth, and systematically targeting critical national infrastructure.

“Ukraine’s foreign minister summed it up well this morning when he said: ‘This night, the residents of Kyiv heard what Russian humanitarianism really sounds like’.”

Asked whether ministers would raise the same concerns directly with the Trump administration, Downing Street said “we engage regularly at a range of levels with a range of partners on Ukraine, and I’m sure we will continue to do so.”