Elon Musk, the billionaire behind SpaceX, had a heated exchange with Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, over Starlink’s role in Ukraine.

The disagreement began when Sikorski posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Poland’s Digitisation Ministry spends around $50 million a year to provide Starlink for Ukraine. He suggested that if SpaceX became unreliable, Poland would need to find other options.

Musk quickly responded, telling Sikorski to “be quiet” and calling him a “small man.” He argued that Poland only pays a tiny fraction of the total cost of Starlink in Ukraine. Musk also insisted that there is no real alternative to his satellite internet system.

Earlier that day, Musk warned that Ukraine’s entire frontline defense could collapse if he decided to turn off Starlink. His comments highlight how crucial the satellite service is for Ukraine’s communication during the war.

This exchange adds to ongoing debates about the role of private companies in global conflicts and the dependence of nations on technology provided by billionaires like Musk.