- Politico reported that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet service in Ukraine is being considered by the EU.
- Officials in the EU are worried that SpaceX could suddenly cut internet service to Ukraine.
- SpaceX had requested previously that the Pentagon fund Starlink in Ukraine as a result of rising costs.
The European Union is considering paying for Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services in Ukraine — a service key for wartime communication — over fears the billionaire may cut it off abruptly, Politico reported Monday.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, raised the issue at Monday’s EU meeting of foreign minstors. Gabrielius Landsbergis was the Lithuanian foreign minister and told Politico. Discussions are in an early stage.
These are the days that follow CNNIt was reported that SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, had been acquired by the company. RequestDue to rising costs, the Pentagon will fund the satellite internet service for Ukraine. Starlink Ukraine’s operating costs will exceed $120 million in 2022, and $400 million in 2023.
Musk on Monday TweetSpaceX has withdrawn the request.
Musk previously stated in a tweet that Starlink continues to be a loss-making enterprise and that SpaceX would “just keep financing” the internet service in Ukraine.
—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022
The FT reported that there are still concerns in the EU about Ukraine’s internet connectivity being cut at will.
“For the moment, let’s just be glad that he is paying.” We need to be safe,” an EU official told The FT. “But we need to stay on the safe side.”
Lithuania’s Landsbergis said that Ukraine’s internet connection shouldn’t be dependent on any “super-powerful” person who could “wake up one morning and say, “This Is not what I feel like doing. This is it.”
Landsbergis said that it would be better for a consortium of countries to sign a contract to SpaceX so that the company can continue to provide internet access in Ukraine on an officially recognized basis.
EU officials informed the FT that they would explore satellite services.
Insider’s requests for comment from the European Commission or SpaceX were not answered by either SpaceX nor the European Commission. These requests were made outside of regular business hours.
Musk’s peace proposal for Ukraine sparks controversy
Starlink’s services in Ukraine were the subject of developments after billionaire, on October 4 Tweet a votefor peace plan that includes recognizing Russia’s annexe of Crimea.A Ukrainian diplomat Musk’s controversial proposal was denounced by the mediaTweeting:I will be your diplomatic response..”
Musk replied to a tweet Musk sent on October 14 regarding SpaceX’s request that the Pentagon pay Starlink’s service to Ukraine. He said that SpaceX was simply “following” that diplomat.
—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2022
The company started sendingStarlink terminals in February after Russia’s invasion Ukraine
Musk stated that SpaceX sent approximately 25,300 SpaceX terminals from SpaceX to Ukraine. TweetMonday. He said that “only 10,630” are paying for the service.
