Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and key figure in Donald Trump’s election campaign, has reportedly been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the past two years.
This revelation, detailed in a Wall Street Journal report, suggests that conversations between the two have ranged from personal matters to significant geopolitical discussions.
Sources, including current and former officials from the US, Europe, and Russia, allege that Musk was asked by Putin not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan, as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The implications of these clandestine talks are substantial for Western security, particularly given Musk’s influential roles in the US space program and his ownership of SpaceX, which launches national security satellites.
Musk’s Starlink system has also been vital in supporting Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia, making his connection to Putin even more concerning for security experts.
As Musk grows closer to the Trump campaign, questions arise about potential favors he might expect if Trump is re-elected on November 5.
Fiona Hill, a former senior director for European and Russian affairs in the Trump administration, emphasized the risks of “oligarch capture” of the US government, warning that Musk could leverage his connections for regulatory benefits.
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The Wall Street Journal’s report claims Musk’s communications with top Russian officials, including Sergei Kiriyenko, have been ongoing since 2022.
Kiriyenko was implicated in a US justice department case for creating domains that spread Russian disinformation aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and influencing US elections.
While Musk has not commented on these allegations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any regular conversations between Musk and Putin, describing their interactions as limited to a single call about space technologies.
However, the nature and extent of Musk’s alleged talks with Russian officials remain a deeply concerning issue for US security and international relations.
