Trump’s Russia Deals, Musk’s Starlink Leverage, and Ukraine’s Hardest Winter Yet

Michael Kofman, defense analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, returns to The Long Game as Russia intensifies its bombardment of Ukraine and decisions made in Washington reshape Kyiv’s ability to fight.

Kofman examines the gap between Russia’s military performance and its demands at the negotiating table; the leverage each side currently holds and the deadly consequences of throttling Ukrainian access to SpaceX’s Starlink and StarShield.

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References and supplemental materials

Alexander Ward, Natalie Andrews, and Josh Dawsey “Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Blindsided Ukraine,” The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com/world/ukraine-starlink-elon-musk-trump…), October 21, 2026

Photo Credit: Nikoletta Stoyanova/Getty Images

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