Poland Threatened Musk Over Starlink: The Dispute Has Spilled Over into Ukraine
13 August 09:35
Warsaw has threatened to review its annual payments to SpaceX, totaling approximately $50 million. The reason for this is Starlink’s new restrictions on Polish users. A significant portion of these funds supports the operation of more than 29,000 terminals in Ukraine. Politico reported on the conflict between the Polish government and SpaceX, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has threatened to review funding for Starlink services due to Elon Musk’s company’s decision to exclude Poland from the general European roaming zone.
This amounts to approximately $50 million, which Warsaw pays annually for satellite communications. In particular, the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs funds the operation of thousands of Starlink terminals in Ukraine.
Radosław Sikorski addressed the American billionaire directly on social media platform X. He called for an end to the discrimination against Polish Starlink users.
“Hey, Elon Musk, big guy, stop discriminating against Polish Starlink users, or else we may reconsider our decision to pay you $50 million a year for your services,” wrote the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Why Poland Fell Out with Starlink
The conflict arose after SpaceX excluded Poland from the joint European Starlink Roam zone. It includes more than 30 countries and territories, including:
- Germany;
- the Czech Republic;
- Slovakia;
- Lithuania;
- France;
- Italy;
- Spain.
Users registered in these countries can transport terminals between countries in the region and use satellite internet in accordance with the terms of their plan.
The company has established separate rules for Poland. The Starlink website states that accounts registered in the country are considered intended for use primarily within Polish territory.
The new terms already apply to customers who registered after July 14. For existing Polish users, the restrictions are set to take effect on August 17.
SpaceX has not publicly explained why Poland was specifically excluded from the general European zone.
How the rules will change for Polish users
Customers with the Roam 100 GB plan will not be able to use it outside of Poland. For trips to other European countries, they will have to switch to the more expensive Roam Unlimited or Priority plans or change their account’s country of registration.
The Roam Unlimited plan will allow customers to use their Polish SIM card abroad for no longer than 30 days during a single trip. After that, the customer will have to:
- switch to the Priority plan;
- change their country of registration;
- or return to Poland to reset the count.
Users may also face additional document verification and be required to report international trips.
Poland Demands Explanations from SpaceX
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Hawkowski, also criticized the American company’s decision.
He stated that a global technology corporation should not put Poles at a disadvantage compared to other Europeans. The official called on SpaceX to urgently restore equal conditions for Polish customers.
If the company attributes the restrictions to “local regulatory requirements,” Warsaw wants references to specific legal provisions.
“Poland is not a secondary market. Polish customers are not second-class customers,” Hawkowski emphasized.
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How Much Does Poland Pay for Starlink for Ukraine
Poland remains one of the largest government donors of satellite communications for Ukraine. According to data cited by The New Voice of Ukraine, Polish funding supports the operation of over 29,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine.
Warsaw’s annual expenditure amounts to approximately $50 million. These funds are directed not only toward the purchase of equipment but also toward regular payments for access to the satellite network.
Starlink is used in Ukraine to:
- ensuring communications for military units;
- coordinating operations on the front lines;
- operating certain unmanned systems;
- restoring internet access following attacks by the Russian Federation;
- ensuring communications for hospitals, government agencies, and critical infrastructure;
- operations in areas where terrestrial telecommunications networks have been destroyed.
That is precisely why a complete suspension of Polish payments could pose serious risks to Ukraine’s communications.
Poland Has Already Clashed with Musk Over Ukraine
This is not the first public dispute between Radosław Sikorski and Elon Musk over Starlink.
In March 2025, Musk stated that without his satellite network, the Ukrainian front would allegedly “have collapsed.” In response, Sikorski pointed out that the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs pays for Starlink’s services for Ukraine, spending about $50 million a year.
At the time, the Polish foreign minister warned that if SpaceX proved unreliable, Warsaw would be forced to seek other providers. Musk responded by calling Sikorski a “little man” and telling him to shut up. Reuters reported on the previous conflict in detail.
Following the dispute, Musk stated that he does not plan to shut down Starlink terminals in Ukraine and will not use the service as a tool for political pressure.
Is There an Alternative to Starlink?
One potential alternative provider mentioned is the Franco-British satellite operator Eutelsat, which operates the low-Earth orbit network OneWeb.
However, it is difficult to replace Starlink quickly and completely. This would require:
- tens of thousands of compatible terminals;
- sufficient satellite network bandwidth;
- stable coverage over Ukraine;
- secure communications in the combat zone;
- funding for equipment and subscription services;
- time required to deploy the new system.
Therefore, even as they explore alternatives, Poland and Ukraine remain largely dependent on SpaceX’s infrastructure.
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