After SpaceX asked the Pentagon to take the account to finance Starlink satellite services in Ukraine, the European Union is considering paying for these services. The EU fears that SpaceX could abruptly stop services that would affect the communications of the Ukrainian military army.

This issue was brought up by the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, at Monday’s EU meeting. Discussions are still at an early stage. Elon Musk said that Starlink activity in Ukraine has already cost SpaceX $80 million and will exceed $100 million by the end of this year. In 2023, satellite internet will cost about $400 million.

Elon Musk wrote on Twitter that out of 25,300 terminals sent to Ukraine, only 10,630 paid for the service. But Elon Musk confirmed yesterday that SpaceX will continue to fund operations in Ukraine, despite Starlink losing money. There are concerns in the EU that Elon Musk may shut down services.

“For now, let’s be happy that it paid the price. But we must be safe,” an EU official told the Financial Times. “The Ukrainians are very worried that he will be cut off after all.”

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis told Politico that Ukraine’s internet access cannot be left in the hands of a “superpowered” person who can wake up one day and say, ‘This is not what I want to do and this is it’. And the next day Ukrainians may find themselves without internet.”

“For example, I thought it would probably be much better to have the Starlink service as a contractual agreement between a coalition of countries that could buy and continue to provide services from Mr. Musk to Ukrainians. Ukrainians.”

The official contract obliges SpaceX to provide services in Ukraine. The controversy also comes after Kiev reported malfunctioning Starlink devices on the front lines in recent weeks. The EU is also exploring alternative options for satellite connectivity. The Pentagon said it is in talks with SpaceX about funding the service and is also exploring other alternatives.