Kushner and Witkoff plan to travel to Norway this week for Ukraine talks, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Background on the planned visit

The trip, as described by three sources familiar with the matter, signals continued diplomatic engagement on the Ukraine conflict. No further details on the agenda, duration, or other participants were disclosed by the sources.

President Donald Trump denied ordering restrictions on Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s satellite connectivity in Ukraine, stating, "It wasn't me and I don't think it was Elon." This denial follows reports that reduced speeds disrupted Ukrainian drone operations.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump rejected suggestions that he directed limits affecting military access to Starlink and Starshield services. He added that, to his knowledge, the service remained as it had been. This statement contrasts with earlier reporting by Reuters, which cited U.S. officials tracing the restriction order to the White House, though a senior official denied Trump personally requested it.

Operational impact and Ukrainian response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that connectivity had not fully returned to previous performance levels. He explained that while Ukraine does not use Starlink for attacks inside Russia, the technology is critical for intercepting jet-powered Shahed drones targeting civilians.

"Starlink wasn't turned off; its speed was reduced," Zelenskyy said on X. "When the speed was reduced, we were unable to intercept a certain number... We couldn't use a tool that helps protect people. That's very painful and frustrating."

The restrictions also affected strikes against military targets in Russian-occupied territories and the delivery of food and water to front-line troops via drones. Ukrainian officials noted that drones using the system began losing connectivity above roughly 100 mph, disrupting frontline logistics and interception missions.

Political fallout and international scrutiny

The incident has sparked political debate within the United States. Senator Thom Tillis demanded a Pentagon inspector-general investigation, warning the disruption could represent a deliberate decision to clear the field for a Russian attack. Tillis shifted focus from SpaceX infrastructure to Defense Department systems, criticizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a lack of transparency.

International backlash has intensified. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticized Elon Musk, questioning whether he was using products for political purposes. Poland has purchased Starlink services for Ukraine. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Musk not to "abandon Ukrainians," while Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanded accountability from both Trump and Musk.

Jurisdictional ambiguity in Starshield control

Elon Musk has consistently attributed service slowdowns to White House control, stating that "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government." The Telegraph reported that Musk approached Trump about slowing Starlink in Ukraine, alleging both played a role. However, SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

What the numbers show

The divergence between Trump’s public denial and Reuters’ reporting on White House involvement highlights a governance gap. With Musk claiming government control and Trump denying personal involvement, the lack of clear attribution complicates accountability. The operational threshold of 100 mph for connectivity loss directly correlates with the inability to intercept high-speed threats, underscoring the tangible military cost of administrative opacity.