Musk and Rubio Clash with Polish Minister Over Starlink in Ukraine
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and billionaire Elon Musk have exchanged heated words with Poland's foreign minister over the role of Starlink in Ukraine's war effort.
Elon Musk claimed on X that Ukraine’s "entire front line" would collapse without the Starlink satellite system, a crucial tool for military communication. In response, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski pushed back, emphasizing that Poland has been financing the system’s use in Ukraine and warning that any threats to shut it down would prompt a search for alternatives.
Rubio dismissed Sikorski’s remarks, arguing that Poland should be grateful for Starlink’s role in Ukraine’s defense. Meanwhile, Musk personally attacked Sikorski, calling him a "small man."
The escalating dispute led to a more diplomatic response from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who urged allies to show respect for their smaller partners rather than acting with arrogance.
The Starlink Controversy
Starlink, a satellite internet system developed by Musk’s SpaceX, has been vital for Ukraine’s military operations since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The technology provides high-speed internet access in remote areas, helping Ukraine coordinate its battlefield strategies.
The argument erupted on Sunday when Musk posted that Starlink was the "backbone of the Ukrainian army" and that shutting it down would cripple Ukraine’s front-line defenses. Sikorski responded by highlighting Poland’s financial contribution:
"Starlinks for Ukraine are paid for by the Polish Digitization Ministry at the cost of about $50 million per year," he wrote. "Beyond the ethics of threatening a victim of aggression, if SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we will be forced to look for alternatives."
Rubio rejected Sikorski’s claims, saying, "You're just making things up… No one has threatened to cut off Ukraine from Starlink." He also suggested that without Starlink, Ukraine would have already lost the war and Russian forces would be on Poland’s doorstep.
Musk then fired back at Sikorski, belittling him by saying: "Be quiet, small man. You pay a tiny fraction of the cost. And there is no substitute for Starlink."
Poland Calls for Respect
On Monday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk weighed in, making a broad statement that appeared to address the controversy. Without naming names, he posted on X:
"True leadership means respect for partners and allies—even for the smaller and weaker ones. Never arrogance. Dear friends, think about it."
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s War Effort
Since the beginning of the war, Starlink terminals have played a vital role in Ukrainian military operations. There are tens of thousands of units in use, including up to 500 funded by the US Department of Defense in June 2023.
Ukrainian forces rely on Starlink for secure battlefield communication, especially for drone operations. These drones provide real-time surveillance, allowing troops to react quickly to threats and compensate for Ukraine’s manpower disadvantages. Starlink also facilitates precise artillery targeting and enables fast requests for evacuations or strikes—capabilities that would be severely hampered without its secure satellite network.
Despite the controversy, Starlink remains an indispensable tool for Ukraine’s war effort, with no clear alternative in sight.
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