Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations with Vladimir Putin Raise Security and Geopolitical Concerns

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and owner of the social media platform X, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials since late 2022, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This revelation has sparked significant concerns regarding security and geopolitical implications.

The conversations between Musk and Putin have covered a range of topics, including personal matters, business, and geopolitics. One notable request from Putin involved asking Musk to withhold Starlink access from Taiwan as a favor to China‘s Xi Jinping. This request was made at a time when Moscow was increasingly reliant on trade with Beijing.

Musk’s interactions with Putin have also been marked by discussions about Ukraine. Initially, Musk supported Ukraine by donating 15,000 Starlink terminals at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. However, his stance shifted later in the conflict, and he prevented Ukraine from using Starlink terminals in strikes on the Russian fleet. Musk has also sought funding from the Pentagon to continue providing free Starlink services to Ukraine, citing financial strain.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk’s conversations with Putin and other high-ranking Kremlin officials, including Sergei Kiriyenko, Putin’s first deputy chief of staff, have raised concerns within the U.S. government. These contacts are particularly sensitive given Musk’s access to sensitive information as a major security and technology contractor. SpaceX, for instance, has a classified $1.8 billion contract to build a network of spy satellites for U.S. intelligence.

The Kremlin has denied any ongoing communication with Musk, while White House officials stated they were not aware of these conversations. The matter is further complicated by Musk’s increasing support for former President Donald Trump, who has criticized the Biden administration‘s support for Ukraine and suggested he might withdraw Washington’s support if re-elected.