DOMINANT ANGLE
Lisbon takes a firm stance on dependence: the Portuguese press first notes Zelensky's appeal to a private American network that Kiev depends on, and Musk who refers the decision to Washington.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
According to SAPO, Sergiy Beskrestnov, advisor to the Ukrainian president, claims that SpaceX imposed a speed limit on the night of October 13-14, without warning the defense forces.
- 02
Zelensky to Piers Morgan: "People will die" if the attacks continue and Starlink does not work; he calls for the service to be restored.
- 03
Tuesday's ballistic missile and drone strikes killed at least five people and injured 36, according to the Ukrainian police.
ANALYSIS
Lisbon, October 15, 2026. The Portuguese media are treating the Starlink episode as an admission of dependence: that of a country at war on a network owned by an American billionaire.
SAPO Notícias reports that an advisor to the Ukrainian president, Sergiy Beskrestnov, revealed that SpaceX had introduced restrictions on Tuesday night to Wednesday (October 13-14). According to him, the speed limit affects military missions, without prior notice to the defense forces. The text emphasizes that Starlink is also used for defense against Shahed drones and that the restriction compromises the effectiveness of Ukrainian operations and logistics.
Observador and Jornal Económico then give the floor to Volodymyr Zelensky. On Wednesday, October 14, during an interview with Piers Morgan, excerpts of which were broadcast online, he stated: "People will die, of course, if the attacks continue and Starlink doesn't work." He says he hopes for "a serious technical problem" and demands the restoration of the service, calling it "a big mistake." In London, upon his arrival at Downing Street, he mentioned difficulties with Starlink and the sharing of information by the United States, before discussing it with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He said he was frustrated by "many surprises" incompatible with "a true partnership".
The military context is recalled: the missile and drone strikes on Tuesday killed at least five people and injured 36, according to the Ukrainian police. Kiev complains of a lack of information about Russian attacks and limitations on the use of Starlink to launch its own drones.
Observador notes that Elon Musk, the boss of SpaceX, rejects the idea that the restrictions are the responsibility of the company and suggests that they are the responsibility of the American government. Jornal Económico adds that Zelensky says he is counting on the partnership with the United States while feeling betrayed by recent announcements by Donald Trump.
The Portuguese account remains focused on the statements from Kiev and Musk. It is based on largely common dispatches and gives little space to the reaction from Washington or the technical details of the limitation.
SOURCES (3)
- ObservadorMEDIUM
- SAPO NotíciasMEDIUM
- Jornal EconómicoMEDIUM
