Musk was replying to a post published Monday by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini hailing a possible deal as an “opportunity”.

“This will be great,” Musk wrote.

“Other countries in Europe will ask to borrow it.”

On Monday, Salvini wrote on X that Musk “is a leading figure in global innovation”.

“A potential agreement with him and @SpakeX to ensure connectivity and modernisation across Italy would not be a threat but rather an opportunity,” he continued.

“I am confident that the government will move forward in this direction because providing better services to citizens is a duty.”

On Monday, Giorgia Meloni denied forging a deal with Musk to have his Starlink satellites take over Italian telecoms security amid a row with the opposition which accused the prime minister of selling Italy out and jeopardising national interests.

The PM’s office at Palazzo Chigi in Rome said no contract or deals between Italy and Musk’s satellite program were discussed during Meloni’s talks with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday.

ANSA