Amid the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and a critical shortage of air defense assets, Kyiv's leadership has attempted to lobby for the use of the Starlink satellite system to guide precision strikes on Russian territory. However, according to the latest reports, Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, has taken a firm stance against such a scenario, stating that conflict escalation is not in the interest of global stability.
Zelensky and Fedorov's Attempt to Gain Access to Starlink
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally raised the issue of Elon Musk's assistance during a meeting with his American counterpart, Donald Trump. Given the acute shortage of missiles for Ukraine's air defense, Zelensky proposed using the Starlink satellite network to guide strikes against Russian missile batteries targeting Kyiv and other cities. However, Trump did not give a definitive answer to this proposal, leaving the situation in limbo.
Parallel to the official negotiations, backroom attempts to appeal to Musk are being made by Mykhailo Fedorov, recently dismissed from his post as Ukraine's Minister of Defense. Sources tell the publication that Musk is currently refusing to yield to pressure. "At this moment, there is no positive decision," confirmed one of the interlocutors on Wednesday. Musk continues to argue with Fedorov about the risks of further escalation of the war on the part of Russia.
Musk's Position: Time for a Peace Deal
As is well known, Elon Musk has repeatedly expressed the opinion that Russia will not withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Ukraine and believes that the issue of exiting the war needs to be approached "pragmatically." In the current situation, the billionaire insists that it is already time to make peace. "Elon constantly says that it is time to make a deal," said one of Fedorov's associates. Musk fears that using Starlink for strikes on Russian territory will lead to unpredictable escalation of the conflict.
Contradictory Data
On the one hand, the Ukrainian leadership claims that using Starlink to guide strikes against Russian launchers is necessary to protect civilian objects. On the other hand, Elon Musk and his associates point to the risks of escalation and the need for a peaceful settlement. While Zelensky declares readiness to destroy Russian launchers, Musk believes this could lead to even more serious consequences.
The Impact of Musk's Decision on the Course of the Conflict
Elon Musk's decision not to provide Ukraine with access to Starlink for strikes on Russia could significantly affect the course of the conflict. On the one hand, this limits Ukraine's ability to protect its cities from missile attacks. On the other hand, it could prevent further escalation and create conditions for peace talks. In a situation where both sides of the conflict are at an impasse, Musk's position becomes a key factor in finding a way out of the crisis.
