Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, in a recent exchange on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces with US Republican Senators, shared his perspective on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Musk suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might face significant pressure to resolve the situation. Additionally, Musk hinted at the potential consequences Putin could face if he chose to withdraw from the conflict, suggesting that he "would be assassinated" if such a decision was taken.
During the discussion, Musk, while expressing scepticism about providing further aid to Ukraine, emphasised his belief that either side would not easily win the war. He also dismissed accusations of supporting Putin, asserting that his companies, particularly Starlink, had contributed significantly to undermining Russia.
Notably, Musk's SpaceX-owned satellite communication network, Starlink, has played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine's military efforts since the outset of the conflict. Despite initially rejecting a request from the Ukrainian government to activate Starlink during a military offensive, Musk's system has since provided vital communication capabilities to Ukrainian troops.
Regarding the possibility of a regime change in Russia, Musk expressed doubts, suggesting that any successor to Putin might prove to be even more entrenched in their positions.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk 'Mapping Out Game Plan' To Take 1 Million People To Mars
Putin Heaps Praises On Musk, With Caution
In a separate interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Putin discussed various topics, including the Ukraine conflict and Elon Musk's Neuralink project. Putin acknowledged Musk's determination and emphasised the importance of finding common ground with him, suggesting that Musk's endeavours should be regulated and formalised.
While the conversation between Putin and Carlson covered a range of subjects, including artificial intelligence, Putin's acknowledgement of Musk's influence and the need for engagement with him highlighted the significance of Musk's initiatives in the global landscape.