On March 10, 2025, Elon Musk reaffirmed that SpaceX will not deactivate Starlink terminals in Ukraine. Musk’s comments come amid concerns raised by Poland regarding the reliability of Starlink as a satellite internet provider for Ukrainian services.
- Musk won't shut down Starlink in Ukraine.
- Poland considers alternative satellite internet providers.
- Musk's support for Ukraine has shifted over time.
- He criticized prolonged US funding for Ukraine.
- Musk expressed concern over ongoing conflict casualties.
Musk’s commitment to keeping Starlink operational in Ukraine was made clear through an X post where he emphasized that his disagreement with Ukrainian policies would not affect service continuity. He responded directly to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski’s comments about seeking alternative providers if SpaceX proved unreliable. Musk noted that Poland pays only a small fraction of the costs associated with Starlink and insisted there is no substitute for its service.
SpaceX has played a significant role in supporting Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, having delivered thousands of Starlink terminals during the early stages of the conflict. The ongoing support has been crucial for communications within Ukraine amidst wartime disruptions.
- Musk initially supported Ukraine but later proposed a controversial peace plan involving concessions to Russia.
- Poland reportedly spends around $50 million annually on Starlink services for Ukraine.
- U.S. officials have acknowledged the importance of Starlink in aiding Ukraine’s military efforts against Russia.
In recent statements, Musk expressed frustration over what he perceives as prolonged conflict without resolution and labeled it a “stalemate.” He called for an end to what he described as unnecessary suffering and urged stakeholders to focus on achieving peace rather than prolonging hostilities.
Musk’s declarations highlight SpaceX’s ongoing commitment to providing critical communication infrastructure in war-torn regions like Ukraine while reflecting broader geopolitical tensions affecting international relations and defense strategies.
