Poland, which funds Ukraine’s Starlink internet services, may explore alternative options if Elon Musk’s company is deemed “unreliable,” according to the foreign minister’s remarks on Sunday following Musk’s comments about potentially disabling access to the system.
Starlink is vital for providing internet connectivity to Ukraine and its military operations. U.S. negotiators advocating for access to Ukraine’s essential minerals have suggested the possibility of restricting the country’s access to this service, as reported by sources familiar with the situation in February.
Musk, a prominent figure during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, stated on his X social media platform on Sunday that Ukraine’s “entire front line would collapse if I turned it (Starlink) off.” He expressed his dismay over the prolonged conflict, stating he was “sickened by … years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose.”
The U.S. government has already limited some satellite imagery access for Ukraine and has paused intelligence sharing, increasing pressure on Kyiv as Trump pushes for a rapid resolution to the war, which has been ongoing since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski noted on X that “Starlinks for Ukraine are funded by the Polish Digitization Ministry at an annual cost of approximately $50 million.” He added, “Aside from the ethics of threatening a victim of aggression, if SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we will have to seek other suppliers.”
SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, did not respond immediately to an email request for comment outside of regular business hours.
Shares of Franco-British satellite operator Eutelsat surged by as much as 650% during the week ending March 7, fueled by speculation that the company could take over internet access for Ukraine. However, the shares retracted on Friday, concluding the week with an increase of around 380%.
In February, Poland reaffirmed its commitment to continue funding Ukraine’s Starlink subscription, despite reports suggesting that the U.S. might consider cutting it.
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