In a dramatic exchange on social media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk found themselves at odds with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski over the crucial Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. The controversy ignited after Musk claimed that Starlink served as "the backbone of the Ukrainian army," suggesting that a shutdown of the system would be catastrophic for the front line. Sikorski countered by emphasizing that Poland funds the service, to the tune of $50 million annually, and warned that SpaceX's potential unreliability could force Warsaw to seek alternatives.
Rubio responded vehemently, labeling Sikorski's comments as fabrications and urging the minister to appreciate Musk's support, asserting that without Starlink, Ukraine might have lost the war. Their social media spat escalated with Musk calling Sikorski a "small man," while defending the critical role that Starlink plays in Ukraine's military operations. This back-and-forth highlights the ongoing tensions regarding internet access in conflict zones and the stakes involved in SpaceX’s commitments amidst wartime challenges.
