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A hot potato: Recently revealed conversations between Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin raise complex questions about the intersection of business, technology, and international relations. As one of the most influential figures in the tech industry and a key player in US space efforts, Musk's actions and associations worry some observers.
A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and a key figure in US space endeavors, has had regular discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. These conversations, confirmed through multiple sources, including current and former US, European, and Russian officials, cover various topics, from personal matters to business and geopolitical issues.
One notable talk involved a request from Putin asking Musk to refrain from activating Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan. The ask was reportedly a favor for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The request was a somewhat moot gesture since the Taiwanese government imposes limitations on foreign satellite operators and has not authorized Starlink internet service within the country.
The White House considers the discussions sensitive due to Musk's deep business ties with US military and intelligence agencies. Musk has a security clearance and access to some of America's most classified space programs. Musk jokingly acknowledged his security status at a recent campaign event in Pennsylvania.
"I do have a top-secret clearance, but, I'd have to say, like most of the stuff that I'm aware of … the reason they keep it top secret is because it's so boring," Musk said.
Since Russia is one of America's primary adversaries, the conversations are, at best, a bad look, sparking concern in the current Administration, where some officials were startled to learn of the relationship. Musk has humorously responded to the news story on X but hasn't denied the claims.
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– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 25, 2024
The revelations have prompted calls for investigation from some quarters. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson responded to the story at the Semafor World Economy Summit.
"If the story is true that there have been multiple conversations between Elon Musk and the president of Russia then I think that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, for the Department of Defense, for some of the intelligence agencies," Nelson said.
White House officials have acknowledged the story but have not commented or confirmed its veracity.
Musk's fascination with Russia dates back to the early days of his space ventures. In 2002, he traveled to Moscow in an attempt to purchase rockets for his fledgling space program. He failed to close the deal, but the trip began Musk's engagement with Russian space technology.
In recent years, Musk has increasingly become involved in geopolitical matters. He has met with various leaders, including Argentina's Javier Milei and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. He also showed strong support for Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022.
Initially, he donated Starlink terminals to provide internet access in areas affected by Russian attacks. However, his stance appeared to shift later that year when he restricted the use of Starlink for offensive Ukraine military operations. This change in position coincided with reported pressure from the Kremlin. A person familiar with the interactions stated that there were "implicit threats against him" from Russia during this period.
In the past year, there have been reports that Russian forces are using Starlink terminals in occupied areas of Ukraine, potentially undermining one of Ukraine's few battlefield advantages. Musk stated that he has no knowledge of terminals being sold directly or indirectly to Russia. He maintains that his companies have done more to undermine Russia than support it. However, the nature and extent of his communications with Putin have become a subject of debate and concern.