Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized opposition politicians for siding with Elon Musk and American officials in a dispute with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski over the weekend.
The controversy began after Musk posted on X that his Starlink system is the “backbone of the Ukrainian army” and that shutting it down would collapse Ukraine’s front line. Sikorski responded by stating that Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs funds Starlink for Ukraine at a cost of $50 million annually, warning that if SpaceX proves unreliable, alternative providers will be sought.
Musk fired back at Sikorski, saying: “Shut up, little man. You pay only a small part of the costs. And there is no replacement for Starlink.”
Opposition figures, including Michal Wojcik and Pawel Jablonski, criticized Sikorski, with some calling for his resignation. European Parliament member Arkadiusz Mularczyk even apologized on behalf of Poland for Sikorski’s remarks.
Tusk responded by condemning the opposition, stating: “By attacking Sikorski, who calmly explains Poland’s national interest, PiS is losing the last remnants of its national dignity. Politically and morally bankrupt.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Sikorski of misrepresenting the situation, stating that no threats were made to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink. He added: “Without Starlink, Ukraine would have lost this war long ago, and Russian troops would now be at Poland’s border.”
The dispute comes amid reports that the EU and European satellite operator Eutelsat are intensifying talks to potentially replace Starlink’s network in Ukraine.
