The EU may pay for Musk's Starlink internet services in Ukranian because of fears that he may cut it off abruptly.
The issue was raised by the EU's chief diplomat at a Monday EU meeting of foreign ministers. At an early stage, the discussions are going well.
CNN reported last week that the Pentagon was asked to fund the satellite internet service in Ukraine by Musk's company. The cost of running Starlink in Ukraine is expected to reach more than a hundred million dollars by the end of the year.
Musk said that the request had been withdrawn by the company.
Musk said in a previous statement that Starlink is still a loss-making business.
—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022
There are still concerns within the EU that he could cut off internet access in his country.
Let's be happy that he is paying for it The EU needs to be on the safe side. The Ukrainians are concerned that he will cut it off.
Landsbergis said that Ukraine's internet access shouldn't depend on a "super-powerful" individual who could wake up one day and say, "This is no longer what I feel like doing and this is it."
It would be better for a coalition of countries to sign an agreement with the company so that they can continue to provide internet access to Ukraine.
The EU will look at other satellite services.
Insider did not get a response from the European Commission or SpaceX.
The developments surrounding Starlink's services in Ukranian came after the billionaire on October 4th voted for a peace plan that included recognizing Russia's annexation of the peninsula. Musk's proposal was blasted by a Ukrainian diplomat who said "Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you"
Musk said on October 14 that he was following a diplomat's recommendation and that he had asked the Pentagon to pay for Starlink's service.
—Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2022
In February, the company began sending Starlink terminals.
Musk said on Monday that his company has sent over 25,000 terminals to Ukraine. Ten thousand are paying for service.
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