{"text":[[{"start":9.3,"text":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that speed limits on Ukraine’s military Starlink systems were part of a “planned operation” aimed at undermining the country’s defences."}],[{"start":19,"text":"The Ukrainian leader’s latest comments come amid the sharpest deterioration in relations with US President Donald Trump since their explosive Oval Office meeting in February 2025 — and as Moscow escalates its air war against Kyiv ahead of winter."}],[{"start":35.4,"text":"On Friday night, Trump refrained from imposing additional sanctions on Russia that were mandated by a sweeping law passed by Congress. "}],[{"start":43.1,"text":"In a message to reporters over WhatsApp on Saturday, Zelenskyy said Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian drone units worked at high speeds in the EU — up to 180kph — but cut out inside Ukraine when they flew faster than 160kph. "}],[{"start":61.45,"text":"The maximum speed for Ukrainian drones equipped with Starlink systems was 161kph, he said, adding that “exceeding this limit causes the Starlink connection to cut out completely, resulting in the loss of the drone”."}],[{"start":75.25,"text":"He said Ukraine had conducted the tests to determine whether SpaceX was facing technical issues, as Kyiv had been told by Washington, or if the restrictions were a “planned operation . . . to restrict us, cut us off and prevent us from defending ourselves and protecting our people, both at the front and among the civilian population”. "}],[{"start":94.35,"text":"Ukraine “sent a couple of vehicles equipped with Starlink terminals into European Union territory”, he said, without naming the countries where the tests were conducted."}],[{"start":103.25,"text":"“They moved at speeds exceeding 180kph, and the Starlink systems worked perfectly. We have the relevant logs and evidence to prove this,” he said."}],[{"start":113.6,"text":"“The conclusion is clear: the restrictions are in effect within Ukraine but do not apply within the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation.”"}],[{"start":122.05,"text":"Kyiv was blindsided by unexplained lapses in intelligence from its foreign partners about Russian ballistic missile strikes over the weekend. This was followed by surprise restrictions on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet systems used by Ukraine’s military, particularly its drone units."}],[{"start":140.5,"text":"Ukrainian troops said they had been forced to suspend operations owing to the speed limits placed on the systems, which made them vulnerable to Russian air defences. Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the drone interceptors that Ukraine relies on to shoot down Russia’s jet-powered drones had also been hobbled."}],[{"start":159.2,"text":"He said Ukraine was increasingly relying on its fighter jets to intercept drones, with a success rate of more than 50 per cent."}],[{"start":167.25,"text":"Musk, who controls SpaceX, shifted any blame for the restrictions on Starlink and Starshield — the military-grade version of the system — to the Trump administration, noting that they were owned and controlled by the US government. He said any limits on speed or usage would have been decided by the Pentagon or the president."}],[{"start":186.3,"text":"Trump said on Friday that neither he nor Musk was responsible for the Starlink restrictions."}],[{"start":192.10000000000002,"text":"A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday demanded in a letter to the Pentagon that an investigation into the matter be opened."}],[{"start":200.10000000000002,"text":"The intelligence gaps and the throttling on Starlink came right before Trump waived imposing new sanctions on Moscow."}],[{"start":207.00000000000003,"text":"Zelenskyy said Trump’s decision to exempt Russia from additional sanctions and the “diesel deal” between Russia and the US would only be “the first step”."}],[{"start":216.05000000000004,"text":"Last week Trump agreed to “immediately” release 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets ahead of midterm elections next month."}],[{"start":225.10000000000005,"text":"Zelenskyy had praised the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act signed by Trump last month as a “major victory” but on Saturday said “the lifting of sanctions will continue, unfortunately”. He said that Trump’s decision to exempt Russia “only helps the Russians”."}],[{"start":242.75000000000006,"text":"“It certainly doesn’t stop the war,” he added."}],[{"start":246.10000000000005,"text":"Zelenskyy also discussed with European countries information that Russia would attempt to reclaim frozen assets “through some partners”."}],[{"start":253.45000000000005,"text":"“But as of today the situation is under control ,” the Ukrainian president said."}],[{"start":258.85,"text":"Kyiv was also surprised by Trump’s announcement last Sunday that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire”. Kyiv paused its own long-range attacks on Russian refineries for three days after the announcement but resumed its campaign amid uninterrupted Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure."}],[{"start":277.3,"text":"“We’re done,” Zelenskyy told the FT."}],[{"start":287.40000000000003,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1792250188_2856.mp3"}