Businessman Elon Musk has maintained 'regular contact' with Vladimir Putin and members of his administration since the end of 2022, claims the Wall Street Journal. The publication obtained this information from several current and former government officials from the US, Europe, and Russia.
The owner of the social network X and SpaceX and the head of the Kremlin discuss geopolitical, business, and even personal issues. At the end of 2023, 'the Kremlin asked Musk not to activate communication through Starlink terminals over Taiwan', claims WSJ citing a former Russian intelligence officer. This was done 'as a favor to China'. Starlink is currently not operating in Taiwan, and all government negotiations with the operator have failed.
Musk previously denied allegations of personal contacts with Putin, claiming that he communicated with Putin only once — in October 2020, and the topic of conversation was space. In October 2022, American political scientist Ian Bremmer reported on possible negotiations between the businessman and Vladimir Putin. According to him, Musk told him in a personal conversation about discussing 'red lines' in the war with Ukraine with the Kremlin.
The publication also recalls that in the fall of 2022, Musk refused at the request of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to enable Starlink satellite communication in the area of annexed Crimea, citing existing US sanctions.
If this information is confirmed, it could cost Elon Musk dearly. Through his company SpaceX, the billionaire has access to classified US space program data, and the question will arise whether he shared it in exchange for political favors.