Elon Musk has stated unequivocally that Starlink satellite internet will remain active in Ukraine, regardless of any disagreements he may have with the country’s policies.
Speaking on March 9, the SpaceX and Tesla founder said the service will not be used as leverage or restricted for political reasons.
"To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals," Musk said, as cited by United24 Media. "We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip."
His remarks follow growing public speculation over Ukraine's continued access to the satellite system, especially after reports that U.S. officials had discussed the possibility of limiting access if Ukraine did not agree to a strategic minerals deal.
Starlink has become an essential communications tool for both Ukraine’s military and civilian sectors, offering reliable internet access in areas where infrastructure has been destroyed or jammed by Russian forces.
Musk stated that Ukraine’s front lines could collapse without Starlink due to Russia’s success in disrupting other forms of communication.
The service has been used for everything from frontline command coordination to drone operations, and Ukrainian officials have credited it with helping maintain critical operations under extreme conditions.
U.S. Officials Deny Plans to Cut Access
Responding to concerns about possible political interference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed recent media reports, insisting that no one has threatened to shut Starlink down.
His comments were intended to reassure both Kyiv and the public that U.S. support remains intact, and that no pressure is being placed on Ukraine through Starlink access.
While Musk has now committed to keeping Starlink active in Ukraine, his previous decisions regarding how the system could be used—particularly in sensitive military zones like Crimea—sparked criticism from some Ukrainian leaders.
They argued that access to communications infrastructure during wartime should not be influenced by individual decisions.
