Zelensky on NBC: US withheld ballistic missile data for three days, Starlink restrictions remain; Bessent calls his accusations irresponsible
Place: Washington, KyivRegion: Ukraine-wide and the front lineautomatic summary
Where the versions diverge
Zelensky says the signal to restrict Starlink came from the US government; Bessent, Trump and Rubio deny it. RIA Novosti presents Bessent's words as an accusation of lying and applies the "untrue" remark to the statements on intelligence, whereas Ukrainian media quote his assessment as referring to the Starlink claims. RIA Novosti headlines "We will not hold out" as Zelensky's "hard admission"; the condition, US support for Russia, appears only in the body text.
What Russia reports
automatic summary RIA Novosti and TASS relay remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Meet the Press: he called Zelensky's accusations that the Trump administration was involved in slowing Starlink "reckless" and his words about a pause in intelligence sharing untrue; according to Bessent, Zelensky is wrong to speak of Ukraine's victory rather than a negotiated settlement. RIA, citing AP, writes that Zelensky's adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov is negotiating with the Pentagon and SpaceX to lift the restrictions. In the evening RIA Novosti headlined Zelensky's words "We will not hold out", calling them a "hard admission": according to the text, he was referring to a scenario in which the US backs Russia; he also expressed hope that Trump would change his decisions.
“Я думаю, что обвинения Владимира Зеленского безрассудны”
“Ему нужно быть очень осторожным в таких высказываниях, ведь они неправдивы”
“в активных переговорах с Пентагоном, SpaceX и правительством США”
“Украина не справится, если США решат поддержать Россию”
“изменит свои решения”
- Глава Минфина США обвинил Зеленского во лжи — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 17:03
- В Киеве рассказали об переговорах с США по вопросу ограничений Starlink — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 15:37
- "Мы не выстоим": Зеленский выступил с тяжелым признанием — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 18:10
- Бессент посоветовал Зеленскому быть осторожнее с заявлениями о Starlink — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 17:08
- Бессент указал на ошибку Зеленского в определении условий завершения конфликта — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 17:21
What Ukraine reports
automatic summary Zelensky told NBC that the US did not pass Ukraine data on Russian ballistic missile attacks for three days and that the exchange has now been restored. The Starlink and Starshield restriction, he said, remains in place, with a maximum speed of 161 km/h; the signal came from the US government and SpaceX implemented the restriction technically. He hopes for talks with the US as early as next week, possibly in Brussels. Bessent responded by calling Zelensky's accusations "extremely irresponsible" and urged him to be careful with statements that are "not true".
“Ми не отримували дані про балістичні атаки протягом трьох діб”
“Максимальна швидкість – 161 км/год”
“І я вважаю вкрай безвідповідальним з боку президента Зеленського висувати такі звинувачення”
- США три доби не надавали Україні дані про балістичні атаки РФ, - Зеленський — RBC-Ukraine, 18 October, 16:37
- Зеленський про обмеження роботи Starlink для України: Повідомлення надійшло від уряду — Ukrainska Pravda, 18 October, 16:48
- Міністр фінансів США: Зеленському треба бути дуже обережним із заявами про Starlink — Ukrainska Pravda, 18 October, 17:53
- Зеленський: США відновили обмін розвідданими з Україною — Suspilne, 18 October, 14:22
- У Трампа обурилися заяві Зеленського про обмеження роботи Starlink — RBC-Ukraine, 18 October, 17:56
What independent sources report
automatic summary DW and Meduza recount Zelensky's NBC interview: the American side interrupted the transfer of data on ballistic missile launches for three days amid worsening relations, and communication restrictions for Ukraine's forces remain. DW notes that official Washington rejects accusations of deliberately limiting the speed.
“Американская сторона на три дня прерывала передачу этих сообщений на фоне обострения отношений Зеленского с президентом США Дональдом Трампом.”
“Официальный Вашингтон отвергает обвинения в намеренном ограничении скорости.”
- Зеленский заявил, что США возобновили передачу разведданных Украине — Meduza, 18 October, 17:30
- Зеленский: США возобновили обмен разведданными с Украиной — DW (RU), 18 October, 16:49
- US resumes intel sharing on Russian missile launches with Ukraine, Zelensky says — Kyiv Independent, 18 October, 17:10
Confirmation
Confirmation: confirmed by independent sources
The event is reported by international or exile independent outlets and no contradictions in the facts between the groups were detected. This does not mean the independent outlets verified every detail.
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