U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House Oval Office on February 28, 2025 (The White House/YouTube/Wikimedia Commons)
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 1st congressional district, gave a fierce warning on Monday, October 19, when speaking of the recent alleged U.S. betrayal of Ukraine. He says he intends to hold any U.S. officials “fully accountable” if discovered that they were involved in limiting Starshield in Ukraine during a Russian missile attack last week. Fitzpatrick shared his lengthy response on X.
“I will be speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his team this week to discuss Starshield, sanctions, and other matters pertaining to the defense of our strong ally, Ukraine,” he wrote in part. He added: “I will be assuring President Zelenskyy that anyone who attempts to limit the use of Starshield for Ukraine will be fully investigated and will be held fully accountable, to include public congressional oversight hearings, and immediate harsh and punitive budget cuts to any responsible agency or agency head.”
His statement continued, adding, “Congress will unequivocally reaffirm that Ukraine is an indispensable ally to the United States, that Russia is a self-declared enemy of the United States, and that the United States will 100 percent support and defend the people of Ukraine in their fight for their own freedom against this brutal, illegal, and unprovoked Russian invasion.”
He says the country has a duty. “The United States must provide any and all defensive equipment that Ukraine needs to defend itself. The United States must not import a single drop of Russian oil,” he wrote, adding in part. “Sanctions against the Russian regime must be harsher and stronger than they’ve ever been before. Each and every one of these items will be brought to the House Floor—and each and every one of these items will pass on the House Floor by an overwhelming margin.” He also referenced former President Ronald Reagan, saying it’s the way Reagan would handle things, and that the U.S. should follow suit.
Zelenskyy has accused Trump of betrayal over the ordeal, saying he was blindsided by it. "It's a pity that we are losing, we are losing a strong partner," Zelenskyy said, as reported by Yahoo.
Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX that provides internet access across the United States and other countries. Ukraine has relied on the network to support its defense against Russia throughout nearly five years of escalating war.
Because of the limitations last week, Zelenskyy said things were made difficult on their end. Trump has denied any involvement in interfering with Starshield. "I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon. And from what I understand, it's the same as it's always been," he said on October 16 while speaking with the media.