Ukraine-Russia War: 2026-10-17

Trump said Friday he did not limit Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starshield network after speed curbs reduced Ukrainian drone performance during Russian strikes earlier this week, the BBC reported. Elon Musk said Starshield is managed by the US government. Zelensky told EU leaders in Brussels that speed had not yet been restored and that Ukraine has the right to defend itself after Trump called Kyiv's strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace.

Trump signed an executive order Friday blocking parts of a Congress-passed sanctions law that was set to take effect on Oct. 18, saying the pause is in the US national interest, the BBC and Al Jazeera reported. The law includes tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, plus sanctions on Russian officials, banks and the shadow tanker fleet. Democratic Rep. Don Beyer said the move betrays Ukraine and defies congressional intent.