Finland's president urges Musk to open Starlink over Russian missile launchers
Finnish President Alexander Stubb publicly asked Elon Musk at the UN to extend Starlink coverage over areas with Russian ballistic-missile launchers — including inside Russia — to help Ukraine defend against winter strikes, though it remains unclear whether Musk will act.
Finland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest backers while also maintaining friendly ties with President Trump. At the UN General Assembly, President Alexander Stubb made an unusual public appeal directly to Elon Musk.
"I plead that Elon Musk would give the Ukrainians the possibility to use Starlink in areas where there are ballistic missile launchers, either in the occupied territory of Ukraine or in Russia for strategic purposes, because that would save lives," Stubb said.
With winter approaching, Ukraine faces a shortage of air defenses to repel Russian ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials believe enabling Starlink over Russian territory would help them strike mobile launchers located within several hundred kilometers of the border.
Musk has clashed with Ukraine before over the scope of Starlink support (notably during the 2022 Crimea offensive), so whether he acts on this request remains uncertain — the confirmed fact here is Stubb's statement and request, not any decision by Musk.
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