The Ukrainian Defense Minister announced that his country is working on an « alternative » to the vital « Starlink » service, which is crucial for its army’s communications network, amid heightened tensions with U.S. President Joe Biden and his ally, billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of the company.
Minister Rustem Umrov said during a press conference in Kyiv, « We are working on that. There are alternatives. » He assured that « a solution exists » and promised to provide details soon.
During this press conference, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, pointed out that there had been no « general » blocking of the « Starlink » service in Ukraine so far.
Reuters reported on Saturday that the U.S. administration threatened to cut off the satellite internet service provided to Ukraine in order to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign an agreement on access to Ukraine’s strategic minerals.
In response, Musk replied on « X » on Saturday, stating « This is not true, » and describing the agency as « false. »
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed on Saturday that his country would pay for Ukraine’s Starlink service, and he doesn’t believe « anyone can cancel the contract. »
