Poland will continue to pay for Ukraine’s satellite internet, Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski declared following media reports that the U.S. could shut off the Starlink satellite internet systems for the war-torn country.
Starlinks are mobile routers providing access to satellite internet which the Ukrainian military relies on for its battlefield communications. The network is owned by American billionaire Elon Musk, who currently heads the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday that U.S. officials pushing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals began threatening an “imminent shutoff” if a deal is not reached.
The warning was also made by Keith Kellogg, U.S. envoy for Ukraine and Russia, during talks in Kyiv on Thursday.
The draft agreement wanted Ukraine to grant the United States 50 percent of profits from the exploitation of rare earth metals and other natural resources, the UK’s ‘Daily Telegraph’ reported. The deal also stipulates that any disputes would be resolved by a court in New York.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the initial agreement.
A Reuters’ source said that losing Starlink, which ensures connectivity for frontline locations and critical infrastructure, “would be a massive blow” to the Ukrainian army.
Gawkowski reacted to Reuters’ report on the X platform later on Saturday. He wrote that it was Poland that had bought the Starlinks and handed them over to Ukraine.
“We pay and will continue to pay a subscription fee for satellite internet for Ukraine. I cannot imagine that someone could decide to terminate a business contract for a commercial service to which Poland is a party,” he added.
In 2024, the Polish Ministry of Digitization said it had funded 20,000 Starlink terminals. It also finances the maintenance of these systems on an ongoing basis.
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday that U.S. officials pushing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals began threatening an “imminent shutoff” if a deal is not reached.
The warning was also made by Keith Kellogg, U.S. envoy for Ukraine and Russia, during talks in Kyiv on Thursday.
The draft agreement wanted Ukraine to grant the United States 50 percent of profits from the exploitation of rare earth metals and other natural resources, the UK’s ‘Daily Telegraph’ reported. The deal also stipulates that any disputes would be resolved by a court in New York.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the initial agreement.
A Reuters’ source said that losing Starlink, which ensures connectivity for frontline locations and critical infrastructure, “would be a massive blow” to the Ukrainian army.
Gawkowski reacted to Reuters’ report on the X platform later on Saturday. He wrote that it was Poland that had bought the Starlinks and handed them over to Ukraine.
“We pay and will continue to pay a subscription fee for satellite internet for Ukraine. I cannot imagine that someone could decide to terminate a business contract for a commercial service to which Poland is a party,” he added.
In 2024, the Polish Ministry of Digitization said it had funded 20,000 Starlink terminals. It also finances the maintenance of these systems on an ongoing basis.
More In Politics MORE...
