The Pentagon confirmed it’s talking with Elon Musk, who has threatened to stop funding Ukraine’s access to his Starlink satellite communications system, but pointedly added that the U.S. is also looking into other options.
"We are engaged in talking with SpaceX,” the space exploration company owned by Musk, Defense Department spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Friday. At the same time, she said, the U.S., Ukraine and allies are also "assessing our options” with other communications companies.
Musk, the world’s richest person, threatened Friday to cut financial support for the Starlink high-speed broadband system that has become an essential communications tool as Ukraine combats Russia’s invasion. He said SpaceX can’t carry the cost indefinitely. His move followed sharp criticism from Kyiv for Musk’s public comments suggesting the government cede territory in exchange for peace with Russia.