We conjecture and verify a set of universal relations between global parameters of hot and fast-rotating compact stars, including a relation connecting the masses of the mass-shedding (Kepler) and static configurations. We apply these relations to the GW170817 event by adopting the scenario in which a hypermassive compact star remnant formed in a merger evolves into a supramassive compact star that collapses into a black hole once the stability line for such stars is crossed. We deduce an upper limit on the maximum mass of static, cold neutron stars $ 2.15^{+0.10}_{-0.07}le M^star_{mathrm{TOV}} le 2.24^{+0.12}_{-0.10} $ for the typical range of entropy per baryon $2 le S/A le 3$ and electron fraction $Y_e = 0.1$ characterizing the hot hypermassive star. Our result implies that accounting for the finite temperature of the merger remnant relaxes previously derived constraints on the value of the maximum mass of a cold, static compact star.
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