Musk and Polish FM Clash Over Starlink in Ukraine

Elon Musk and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski have clashed over the role of Starlink in Ukraine’s defense, with Musk asserting that the satellite network is crucial to Ukraine’s frontline survival. Musk stated on X that without Starlink, Ukraine’s entire frontline would collapse. In response, Sikorski countered by highlighting Poland’s financial contribution to Starlink, revealing that the Polish government funds the service at an annual cost of around $50 million. He warned that any threat to shut down Starlink would lead Poland to seek alternative providers.

Senator Marco Rubio also entered the dispute, dismissing Sikorski's remarks and urging him to show more gratitude. Musk escalated the exchange by calling Sikorski a “small man,” dismissing Poland’s contribution as a “tiny fraction” of the overall cost and claiming there was no substitute for Starlink.

The argument was brought to a close after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk intervened, urging allies to treat their partners with respect rather than arrogance.

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet system, has been vital for Ukraine’s military communications since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The system includes tens of thousands of terminals, with up to 500 purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2023. Musk's remarks were sparked by Sikorski's comments on Poland's funding and the potential consequences of SpaceX’s unreliability in the conflict.