US company SpaceX lacks the tools to continue financing the Starlink internet network in Ukraine, CEO Elon Musk on Friday urged the US government to take up the task.

The discussions came at a time when the king was embroiled in public disagreements with Ukrainian leaders, who were angry at his controversial plan to de-escalate the conflict, which included recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea.

Starlink, a constellation of more than 3,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit, is vital to Ukraine’s communications in its fight against the Russian invasion, and SpaceX has donated nearly 25,000 ground terminals, according to an updated figure provided by Musk last week.

On Friday, the fiery and controversial businessman warned that the space company “cannot continue to fund the current system indefinitely and will ship thousands of additional terminals (…)”. That doesn’t make sense.”

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Billionaire SpaceX has already cost the company $80 million, and the bill is expected to reach $100 million by the end of the year.

Musk assures SpaceX covers all distribution and maintenance costs of Starlink terminals in Ukraine, except for a “small percentage”.

SpaceX figures shared with the Pentagon

but the chain CNN He reported that SpaceX figures shared with the Pentagon show that about 85% of the first 20,000 terminals in Ukraine are partially paid for by countries such as the United States, Poland or other organizations that also pay for about 30% of the Internet connection.

Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon deputy press secretary, said Friday that the US Department of Defense is in contact with Musk regarding funding.

“We can confirm that the department has received correspondence from SpaceX regarding the financing of the satellite communications product (…) in Ukraine. “We are in contact with SpaceX on this and other issues.”

He had previously told reporters there were possible alternatives to Starlink, but declined to give details. “There are definitely other satellite communications capabilities out there. I’m not going to show our advantage on exactly what they are right now or who we’re talking to.”

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Musk recently clashed with Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, after proposing a peace deal that included rerunning controversial referendums in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, an idea welcomed by Moscow.

Andriy Melnyk, Kiev’s ambassador to Germany, weighed in on Twitter, calling Musk “fuck it”.

Musk says he’s following the recommendations

“We’re following your advice,” Musk said in a tweet Friday that included a shrug.

Singh declined to comment on whether Musk decided to shelve the Starlink service in response to the ambassador’s comment, saying it was a question for SpaceX.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times said the Starlink cuts affected Ukrainian forces on the front line and hindered their ability to retake Russian-controlled areas in the east of the country, but the situation later improved.

“Like it or not, Elon Musk helped us survive the most critical moments of the war,” said Mikhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Ukrainian presidency.