'Can't replace capability': Starlink disruption exposes Ukraine's reliance on US tech

European Union leaders are grappling with how to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications system after disruptions to its services raised concerns about Kyiv’s reliance on US-controlled technology for battlefield operations.EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe did not have an immediate alternative to the satellite network, which has become essential to Ukraine’s military communications, as leaders gathered for a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also in attendance."Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine and unfortunately in (the) short term Europe can't replace this capability," Kallas said before the talks.She added that the European Defence Agency had identified critical capabilities that Europe lacked and needed to develop, stressing that the gaps had to be addressed "as soon as possible".The issue has gained urgency after Ukrainian officials reported restrictions and slower speeds on parts of the Starlink system this week, amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv…