Musk and Rubio Clash with Polish Minister Over Starlink's Role in Ukraine
A heated discussion unfolds on X as key figures weigh in on Starlink's impact in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
In a tense exchange on social media, Elon Musk and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio confronted Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the pivotal role of Musk's Starlink satellite system in Ukraine. The interaction began when Musk highlighted Starlink's significance, claiming it serves as the "backbone of the Ukrainian army" and warning that turning off the service would lead to disastrous consequences. Reacting to Musk's assertion, Sikorski pointed out that Poland finances the service, spending approximately $50 million annually, and threatened to seek alternative providers if SpaceX proved unreliable. Rubio quickly defended Musk, accusing Sikorski of fabricating claims and emphasizing the invaluable role that Starlink plays in the Ukrainian war effort. The exchange escalated as Musk labeled Sikorski a "small man" and criticized Poland's proportionate contribution to the costs. Starlink's operations have been crucial for Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with tens of thousands of terminals already in the country.
A heated discussion unfolds on X as key figures weigh in on Starlink's impact in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
In a tense exchange on social media, Elon Musk and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio confronted Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the pivotal role of Musk's Starlink satellite system in Ukraine. The interaction began when Musk highlighted Starlink's significance, claiming it serves as the "backbone of the Ukrainian army" and warning that turning off the service would lead to disastrous consequences. Reacting to Musk's assertion, Sikorski pointed out that Poland finances the service, spending approximately $50 million annually, and threatened to seek alternative providers if SpaceX proved unreliable. Rubio quickly defended Musk, accusing Sikorski of fabricating claims and emphasizing the invaluable role that Starlink plays in the Ukrainian war effort. The exchange escalated as Musk labeled Sikorski a "small man" and criticized Poland's proportionate contribution to the costs. Starlink's operations have been crucial for Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with tens of thousands of terminals already in the country.
