Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, reportedly held secret discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years, according to new findings by The Wall Street Journal.
The conversations allegedly covered personal matters, business, and sensitive geopolitical topics, with Putin reportedly once urging Musk to avoid deploying his Starlink satellites over Taiwan. Musk’s Starlink service has become a key asset in conflict zones, providing critical internet access.
Kremlin Pressure and Threats on Musk’s Ventures
The report suggests that in 2022, Musk faced significant public and private pressure from Kremlin officials, who were concerned over his support for Ukraine. Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s former space agency chief, had publicly warned Musk on Telegram, implying he would face serious consequences for providing Starlink technology to Ukraine’s Azov battalion—a group with some members tied to ultranationalist ideologies, which the Kremlin criticizes heavily.
Musk’s Shift Towards Russian-Friendly Stances
Amid these pressures, Musk’s statements and actions seemed to align more with Russian interests. By late 2022, insiders claimed he had regular communication with senior Russian officials, with the Kremlin allegedly making veiled threats to his business interests. Around the same period, Musk voiced concerns over the financial burden of funding Starlink for Ukraine and floated peace proposals on X (formerly Twitter) that some observed as echoing aspects of the Kremlin’s stance.
Growing Criticism of U.S. Support for Ukraine
The shift in Musk’s stance also included more critical takes on U.S. military support for Ukraine, adding to speculation about the motivations behind his evolving perspectives.
With these revelations, Musk’s interactions with Russian officials raise questions about the possible influence on one of the world’s most prominent tech entrepreneurs.
Some key points of concern include
Musk’s Business Ties with Russia: Musk’s company, SpaceX, has a major contract with the Pentagon, and he has a high-level security clearance, giving him access to classified U.S. space operations.
Musk’s Support for Donald Trump: Musk has emerged as a crucial supporter of Donald Trump’s election campaign and may potentially have a role in a Trump administration.
National Security Risks: Musk’s conversations with Putin have raised concerns about potential national security risks, given Putin’s role as one of America’s chief adversaries.
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