Musk joined Trump's call with Zelenskyy; what did they discuss
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk was reportedly on the line during a phone call between United States President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The call was made at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump was with Musk, a day after the presidential election. According to CNN, a source described the conversation as positive and cordial, lasting about seven minutes with no policy discussions.
Zelensky thanks Musk for Starlink support
During the call, Zelenskyy thanked Musk for providing communications through Starlink to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. "We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace," Zelenskyy stated. Notably, Trump's victory comes at a critical time for Kyiv as Russia advances in the eastern Donbas region.
Musk's potential influence in new administration
Musk's presence on the call has raised questions about his potential influence. He was one of the biggest supporters of Trump during his campaign, and many speculate that he may be part of Trump's new administration. His Starlink internet service has been critical for Ukraine's military since 2022, enabling real-time communication despite disrupted cellphone service. However, reports of restricted Starlink access in areas like Crimea and Russian use of Starlink services have raised concerns about Musk's influence.
Musk's interactions with foreign leaders raise concerns
Concerns have also been raised about Musk's interactions with foreign leaders such as Russia's Vladimir Putin. A Wall Street Journal report alleged Musk kept in touch with Putin since late 2022, discussing various topics including geopolitical tensions. In October 2022, he suggested that Ukraine cede Crimea to Russia as part of a prospective peace accord, which drew criticism from Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian politicians.
