Musk Wades Into Ukraine Issue With A Twitter Poll. Zelenskyy Responds With His Own

Elon Musk received criticism from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his suggestions to end the conflict with Russia which included formally allowing Moscow to annex Crimea.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk | Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Source : Getty Images | PTI

New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday received criticism from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his suggestions on ways to bring about "peace" amid the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Musk through his official Twitter handle conducted a poll wherein he floated a number of ideas to end the conflict, asking his followers to vote "yes" or "no" on his proposals.

The suggestions included formally allowing Russia to annex Crimea.

Ukraine-Russia Peace:

- Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.

- Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).

- Water supply to Crimea assured.

- Ukraine remains neutral.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022

In another poll, he asked people to vote if "the will of the people who live in the Donbas & Crimea should decide whether they’re part of Russia or Ukraine."

Let’s try this then: the will of the people who live in the Donbas & Crimea should decide whether they’re part of Russia or Ukraine

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022

In response to Elon Musk's polls, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted his own, offering two responses: "Which @elonmusk do you like more? One who supports Ukraine, one who supports Russia."

The Tesla CEO replied to the tweet emphasising, "I still very much support Ukraine, but am convinced that massive escalation of the war will cause great harm to Ukraine and possibly the world."

I still very much support Ukraine, but am convinced that massive escalation of the war will cause great harm to Ukraine and possibly the world.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022

In response to a Twitter user, the billionaire wrote: "Russia is doing partial mobilization. They go to full war mobilization if Crimea is at risk. Death on both sides will be devastating. Russia has >3 times population of Ukraine, so victory for Ukraine is unlikely in total war. If you care about the people of Ukraine, seek peace."

 

The row comes after last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin formally announced the annexation of four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia and claimed that "this is the will of millions of people."

 

On February 24, Russia began a "special military operation" in Ukraine leading to an armed conflict that has cost lives bringing up instances of alleged war crimes with mass graves found, and also created a refugee crisis besides crises pertaining to the global supply of food grains, energy, and fuel. A slew of sanctions has been imposed by the western countries targeting the Russian economy.