Recent reports reveal that Elon Musk has been engaged in regular conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials since mid-2022, stirring alarm within the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies. According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk’s private discussions with Putin have revolved around personal, business, and geopolitical matters, fueling speculation about Musk’s influence in global politics.
Sources indicate that Musk, along with conversing with Putin, has also had ongoing talks with Sergei Kiriyenko, a top Kremlin official accused by U.S. authorities of coordinating disinformation campaigns, including those on Musk’s social media platform, X. The timing of these talks is particularly notable, as it coincides with Musk’s pivot in stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, including public statements that some critics claim echo Russian viewpoints. For instance, Musk has proposed a “peace plan” suggesting Crimea should remain under Russian control and that Ukraine should adopt neutrality. This shift in Musk’s rhetoric and actions has drawn widespread attention, especially as Starlink’s internet services were reportedly used by Russian forces.
One particularly sensitive request allegedly came from Putin last year when he reportedly asked Musk not to enable Starlink’s satellite network over Taiwan as a favor to China’s President Xi Jinping. Although Starlink’s website indicates future availability in Taiwan, the service remains unavailable, ostensibly awaiting authorization.
Musk’s involvement in these issues has been controversial, and he has addressed some accusations directly. When political analyst Ian Bremmer disclosed that Musk told him about a conversation with Putin in October 2022, Musk denied this claim, stating that he had only spoken to Putin once in 2021—and that the topic was space exploration. Yet Bremmer’s account remains, adding to the intrigue surrounding Musk’s geopolitical engagements and sparking concerns about his private influence on international policy.
