A coalition of Ukrainian American organizations is urging the Federal Communications Commission to deny SpaceX’s application to launch more Starlink satellites. They are concerned about Elon Musk’s alleged connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his role in the Department of Government Efficiency, President-elect Donald Trump’s advisory group. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America is worried that Musk may be favoring Russia over Ukraine, despite the vital role Starlink satellites played in the country’s war efforts. They fear that Musk’s business interests may conflict with his new role, leading to potential benefits for Russia.
The coalition also expressed concerns about Musk’s potential influence over regulatory agencies due to his ambiguous position in Trump’s ear. They worry that Musk could pressure agencies to favor his companies, impacting competition and fairness in the satellite industry. The coalition believes Musk is starting to engage in foreign policy and geopolitics, which is not his job.
Musk has denied any wrongdoing and has rebuffed allegations that Starlink is being used to benefit Russian fighters. SpaceX has defended its work, stating that it is not detrimental to the environment. The company is aiming to launch more satellites to expand its reach worldwide. The FCC has not yet made a decision on SpaceX’s application, and Commissioner Brendan Carr has expressed doubts about restoring subsidies to Starlink. The Ukrainian coalition remains opposed to SpaceX’s continued satellite launches, citing concerns over Musk’s alleged ties to Russia and potential conflicts of interest.
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