Musk Vows to Keep Starlink Terminals in Ukraine, Despite Policy Disagreements

Elon Musk Vows to Keep Starlink Terminals in Ukraine

Elon Musk has assured that he will not shut down Starlink terminals in Ukraine, despite disagreements with the country's policies.

"To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals," Musk wrote on Twitter. "We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip."

His statement came after Poland's foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, threatened to find alternative satellite internet providers if SpaceX proved unreliable. Sikorski claimed Poland was spending $50 million annually on Starlink services for Ukraine.

Musk responded sharply, telling Sikorski to "be quiet" and pointing out that Poland's contribution was minimal compared to the overall cost. He emphasized that there was no substitute for Starlink's services.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in, refuting Sikorski's claims and highlighting Starlink's crucial role in Ukraine's defense. "No one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink," Rubio wrote. "And say thank you because without Starlink Ukraine would have lost this war long ago and Russians would be on the border with Poland right now."

Musk's initial support for Ukraine included sending 15,000 Starlink terminals after Russia's invasion in 2022. However, his stance has shifted, with recent comments expressing frustration with the war's prolonged stalemate and advocating for a negotiated settlement.

Despite his changing views, Musk's commitment to maintaining Starlink access in Ukraine remains firm. This vital service continues to provide critical communication infrastructure for the war-torn nation.