A coalition of Ukrainian American organizations is petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to stop SpaceX from launching more satellites, citing concerns over Elon Musk’s connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his role in the Department of Government Efficiency. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, which represents over 1 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, fears that Musk’s business interests may conflict with his new role and that he may be supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Ukraine had previously used Musk’s Starlink satellites for communication during the conflict with Russia, but recent actions by Musk, including proposing a peace plan seen as pro-Russian, have raised suspicions about his allegiances. The Ukrainian coalition believes that Musk should not be involved in foreign policy and geopolitics, as his actions could benefit Russia and harm Ukraine.
There are concerns that Musk’s influence in the Trump administration, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency, could lead to regulatory favoritism for his companies like SpaceX. Despite allegations that SpaceX’s work is detrimental to the environment, the company denies these claims.
Experts have raised questions about how Musk will navigate the potential conflicts of interest between his business interests and his role in government advisory groups. While SpaceX is aiming to expand its satellite network worldwide, the Ukrainian coalition is adamant about stopping the company’s applications for new satellite launches.
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