The US Department of Defense is considering the possibility of paying for the operation of the Starlink Internet satellite network in Ukraine.
Politico writes about this with reference to two American officials who are involved in the discussion of this issue.
The inclusion of this payment in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, through which weapons and equipment are supplied to the Ukrainian military, is being discussed. It is used by the US government to finance contracts with firms for the supply of weapons and equipment.
The European Union is already discussing the possibility of paying for Starlink satellite Internet for Ukraine. This topic was raised during a meeting of 27 EU foreign ministers.
- On October 14, it became known that the SpaceX company warned the Pentagon that it could stop funding Starlink in Ukraine, unless the American military allocates tens of millions of dollars a month. The Office of the President of Ukraine replied that Ukraine would find a way to maintain Starlink.
- Later, Elon Musk changed his mind and declared that he would continue to finance Starlink services in Ukraine, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, suggested that allied countries jointly pay Ukraineʼs bills for Starlink, if Elon Muskʼs company SpaceX is no longer able.