The Commission’s action plan for ensuring Starlink will not be used against Europe for blackmail in the future

6.3.2025

Question for written answer  E-000978/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sofie Eriksson (S&D), Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), Bruno Tobback (S&D), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Mohammed Chahim (S&D), Eero Heinäluoma (S&D), Elena Sancho Murillo (S&D), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

Elon Musk has demonstrated his ability to use Starlink to pressure President Zelenskyy into aligning with US demands. The EU cannot afford to become similarly dependent on Starlink. While Starlink’s uptake remains limited for now, we are clearly vulnerable until the EU’s IRIS² becomes operational – particularly in the rapidly evolving security sector and in sparsely populated areas with inadequate infrastructure. Despite this, the EU lacks a coherent strategy to safeguard its independence from Elon Musk.

We therefore urge the Commission to clarify whether it has considered presenting measures that:

• 1.create a firewall between Elon Musk and any potential future operations of Starlink in the EU?
• 2.prevent European authorities and defence institutions from becoming reliant on Starlink for connectivity?
• 3.ensure a unified EU security assessment of the use of Starlink, to support public entities in their procurement processes?

Submitted: 6.3.2025