Negotiations between Italy and Elon Musk's Starlink have stalled over geopolitical tensions, as the government seeks secure communications for officials. Opposition politicians have raised concerns over working with a company linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Negotiations between Italy’s government and Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, have stalled, with broader geopolitical tensions contributing to the delay in talks. Italy's Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, confirmed on Saturday that discussions regarding a potential contract for encrypted communications between the government, diplomats, and defense officials had come to a halt. The shift in focus from technical matters to public comments about Musk and his business ventures was one of the key reasons for the impasse.
Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s leadership, Italy is working to ensure secure communications for officials operating in high-risk areas. Starlink, which has been operational in Italy since 2021 and is a dominant player in the satellite internet sector, remains a strong candidate to provide this service. However, despite its vast network of over 6,700 active satellites, political pushback is growing.
Sources suggest Italy is considering a five-year deal worth 1.5 billion euros ($1.62 billion) with Starlink, part of Musk’s SpaceX group. However, opposition politicians have expressed concerns about handing a critical national security contract to a foreign company led by Musk, who is a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Minister Crosetto stressed that once political tensions subside, the focus would return to technical aspects of the agreement. “The point is: what is most useful and safe for the nation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring national security and the reliability of communications.
Prime Minister Meloni has prioritized Italy's alliance with the United States, but she faces a delicate balancing act in managing relationships with both Trump and European leaders. Meanwhile, her coalition partner, the far-right League, continues to advocate for closer ties with both Musk and Trump. On Friday, Matteo Salvini, leader of the League and Meloni's deputy, revealed a phone conversation with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in which he praised the U.S. capabilities in satellite communications.
As talks continue, the Italian government must navigate complex political pressures and national security considerations to determine the future of the Starlink contract.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles laun...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling t...
Kazakhstan’s competition regulator has issued a formal warning to ride-hailing platform inDrive after fares for some journeys reportedly near...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined high school students protesting outside a school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday, as a wave of student demonstrations continues across France.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a newly opened defence museum displaying weapons developed under his leadership, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers are set to discuss measures to tackle transboundary haze during preparatory meetings ahead of the ASEAN summit in November, as forest and land fires in Indonesia continue to affect air quality across the region, the Philippines said on Tuesday.
Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the United Kingdom believes Iran was likely behind an alleged plot connected to RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire in England that has played a role in U.S. operations against Iran, escalating tensions between London and Tehran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment