Mon Mar 10 02:42:09 UTC 2025: ## Musk Reassures Ukraine: Starlink Service Will Continue Despite Tensions

**WARSAW/WASHINGTON D.C.** – Amidst a heated online exchange with Polish officials and accusations of threatening to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet service, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has emphatically stated that Starlink will remain operational in Ukraine. The controversy erupted after Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski raised concerns about the reliability of Starlink, suggesting Poland might seek alternative providers if the service proves unreliable. Sikorski’s comments followed Musk’s assertion that the Ukrainian front line would collapse without Starlink, a claim that sparked a war of words on X (formerly Twitter).

US Senator Marco Rubio defended Musk, denying any threat to cut off service and highlighting Starlink’s crucial role in Ukraine’s war effort. Musk himself countered Sikorski’s concerns, emphasizing the substantial cost of maintaining the service and the lack of viable alternatives. Reports last month suggested US negotiators had explored the possibility of limiting Starlink access as leverage in negotiations with Ukraine over critical minerals.

Despite the disagreements and accusations, Musk unequivocally declared that Starlink terminals in Ukraine would not be deactivated, regardless of his personal views on Ukraine’s policy. He stressed that Starlink is essential for Ukrainian communications, given the Russian military’s ability to jam other systems. Poland currently funds approximately half of the estimated 42,000 Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine, at a cost of around $50 million annually.

The controversy comes against a backdrop of strained US-Ukraine relations following President Trump’s temporary suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. While Trump claims the intelligence sharing pause has “just about” ended, the situation remains tense as US officials prepare for talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aiming to broker a ceasefire and peace framework. The Starlink situation highlights the complex interplay of geopolitical strategy, technological dependence, and the personal views of powerful individuals amidst the ongoing war.

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