Negotiations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government and Elon Musk’s SpaceX over a Starlink deal reportedly worth $1.6 billion are sparking outrage in Italy’s parliament.

Italian opposition parties on Monday stepped up criticism of a proposed deal between Rome and satellite internet provider Starlink after its founder Elon Musk suggested he could cut Ukraine's access to the network.

The Italian government is having growing doubts about closing a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink in light of the US pullback from commitments to European security, people familiar with the matter said.

Elon Musk has requested a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella as uncertainty grows over a potential $1.5 billion deal between Italy and Starlink for secure military communications.