Negotiations between the government and Elon Musk’s SpaceX over the Starlink satellite system have been suspended, said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
In an interview with La Repubblica on Saturday, Crosetto stated, “Everything has come to a standstill.” He confirmed that no technical discussions are taking place about using Starlink for secure defence and diplomatic communications.
The suspension occurred because statements “by and about” Musk have overshadowed the deal’s technical aspects, Crosetto explained. The tech billionaire, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, remains a divisive figure in Italy’s Starlink negotiations.
Earlier this month, other political parties urged the government to stop talks with SpaceX. Their concerns followed Musk’s threat to deactivate Starlink’s communication system in Ukraine, where it supports Kyiv’s forces against Russia’s invasion.
Reports of a potential Starlink deal first appeared in January after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Trump’s Florida residence. Meloni denied signing a contract or discussing Starlink during the meeting. However, she acknowledged a “great relationship” with Musk, calling him a “brilliant man” and an “extraordinary innovator.”
Crosetto said technical talks would resume “when the controversies and the times have calmed down.” The priority is deciding what is safest and most beneficial for the country, he added.
Despite the suspension, Italy has tested Starlink antennas in embassies in Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Iran. Officials have not yet activated them for active use.
