Musk, Rubio, and Polish Prime Minister Clash Over Starlink’s Role in Ukraine
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have engaged in a heated exchange with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the use of Musk’s Starlink internet service in Ukraine.
During a tense debate on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Sikorski suggested that Poland— which funds Ukraine’s use of Starlink to help counter Russia’s invasion— might have to explore alternative providers if Musk’s satellite network proves to be unreliable. His remarks followed Musk’s assertion that Ukraine’s military “would collapse” without Starlink.
“I literally challenged Putin to one-on-one combat over Ukraine, and my Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. Their entire front line would collapse if I turned it off,” Musk said, responding to an X user who accused him of being soft on Russia while criticizing Ukraine.
Expressing frustration with the ongoing conflict, Musk added: “What I am sickened by is years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose.”
Rubio Defends Musk, Calls Out Sikorski
Rubio quickly came to Musk’s defense, accusing Sikorski of “making things up.”
“No one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink,” Rubio said. “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 himself later fired back at Sikorski, writing, “Be quiet, small man. You pay a tiny fraction of the cost. And there is no substitute for Starlink.”
Reports of US Considering Starlink Restrictions
Last month, Reuters reported—citing three unnamed sources—that U.S. officials had discussed the possibility of limiting Ukraine’s access to Starlink while negotiating for greater access to Ukraine’s critical minerals.
Despite the recent tensions, Musk, who heads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, insisted he would not restrict Ukraine’s access to Starlink.
“To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals,” Musk said. “Without Starlink, Ukraine’s lines would collapse, as the Russians can jam all other communications! We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip.”
Poland has funded about half of the estimated 42,000 Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine, which have been essential for Ukraine’s military and emergency services following Russia’s widespread destruction of the country’s communications infrastructure.
US Military and Intelligence Support in Limbo
The debate over Starlink comes as the Trump administration has placed a hold on U.S. military aid to Ukraine. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed last Wednesday that the U.S. had also suspended intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Officials have suggested that both military aid and intelligence sharing could resume if a diplomatic breakthrough is reached between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On Sunday, Trump stated that the U.S. had “just about” lifted the intelligence-sharing suspension and expressed optimism about upcoming talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
American representatives are scheduled to meet with Ukraine’s delegation in Jeddah on Tuesday as the Trump administration seeks a ceasefire and a framework for a peace agreement.
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