The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexey Reznikov said that the financing of Starlink satellite communications, which is why Kiev and the entrepreneur had a conflict, can be carried out from three sourcesNEW YORK, October 21.
/tass/. The Ukrainian authorities are in direct contact with entrepreneur Elon Musk on the issue of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications, and are trying to resolve the contradictions. This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexey Reznikov in an interview with the American newspaper Politico, published on Friday.
"I know that we will have no problems (with maintaining the operation of satellites - approx. TASS)," Reznikov told the publication. According to him, Kiev communicates with Musk through the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mikhail Fedorov.
"(He - approx. TASS) is responsible for digitalization and keeps in direct contact with Elon Musk. They have personal communication, and Mikhail assessed the situation very positively. <...>. We will continue to communicate with Elon Musk's company at the technical level," the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry added.
Reznikov also pointed out that the financing of Starlink satellite communications for Ukraine, which is why Kiev and Musk have a conflict, can be carried out from three sources. In particular, he mentioned the funds of the US Department of Defense, the finances provided by the European Union and assistance from private individuals.
On October 13, CNN reported that it had received a letter in which SpaceX notified the US Department of Defense that it would stop paying for the operation of its satellite communications system in Ukraine and did not plan to provide new terminals to Kiev for an indefinite time. The document also contained a request to the Pentagon to take over the payment for the supply of additional Starlink terminals to Kiev and financing the operation of the system in the interests of the Ukrainian authorities and the military. On October 14, First Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that the agency believes that Starlink has alternatives in Ukraine.
On October 15, Musk announced that he would continue to independently pay for the operation of the Starlink satellite communication system in Ukraine, despite financial losses. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried noted that the American Foreign Ministry welcomes this decision.
