Rubio, Musk Defend Starlink Amid Poland's Criticism of Service Reliability

A public dispute arose between Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite service, which Poland funds at approximately $50 million annually. Sikorski expressed concerns that if SpaceX's reliability continues to wane, Poland might need to seek alternative communication providers. Rubio countered by asserting that no threats had been made about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink, emphasizing that the service has been crucial for Ukraine's defense. Elon Musk joined the conversation, asserting that Ukraine's military operations would falter without Starlink, and he challenged the notion of sanctions against Ukrainian oligarchs. The exchange highlights tensions surrounding U.S. negotiations with Ukraine, where access to vital resources and services is being linked to broader political discussions. Amid these discussions, Rubio reiterated support for Ukraine and criticized Sikorski's comments as ungrateful.