Musk and Rubio Clash with Polish Official Over Starlink Supplies to Ukraine

In a heated exchange on social media, Elon Musk, Marco Rubio, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski discussed the stakes surrounding Starlink's provision of internet services in Ukraine.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio have recently entered a contentious debate with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the provision of the Starlink satellite service in Ukraine. The discussion became particularly animated over a series of posts on X, where Musk emphasized the critical role of Starlink in supporting Ukrainian military operations. "Starlink is the backbone of the Ukrainian army; their entire front line would collapse if I turned it off," Musk declared, highlighting the urgency of maintaining communications in war zones.

In response, Sikorski asserted that Poland funds the Starlink service at approximately $50 million annually and warned that any unreliability on SpaceX's part could compel Poland to seek other service providers. His remarks suggested a strong dissatisfaction with Musk's approach, which he deemed as threatening towards a nation under aggression.

Rubio quickly defended Musk, dismissing Sikorski’s claims and asserting the importance of Starlink for Ukraine's defense against Russia. "No one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink," Rubio insisted, urging recognition of how crucial the service has been in keeping the country in combat.

The exchange escalated, with Musk calling Sikorski a "small man," arguing that Poland's contribution represents a mere fraction of the costs associated with maintaining the Starlink infrastructure. He also made it clear that there is no viable replacement for Starlink's capabilities. As the situation continues to unfold, the role of technology in modern warfare remains a focal point of international dialogue, especially as Ukraine relies heavily on these satellite links to coordinate defense efforts.