Elon Musk: why is the multi-billionaire so interested in the war in Ukraine?

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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Elon Musk has not stopped posting his positions on Twitter. Between his proposal for a “man to man” fight with Vladimir Putin or the provision of his satellites to the Ukrainian army, the boss of SpaceX is now trying to mediate between kyiv and Moscow.

What is Elon Musk playing? Failing to save the Earth with his Tesla or with his SpaceX rockets, the American multi-billionaire is now trying to take on the role of mediator between kyiv and Moscow.

Recently, the businessman even spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to find a line of understanding and end the war in Ukraine, according to American political scientist Ian Bremmer.

“Elon Musk told me that he spoke directly about Ukraine with Vladimir Putin. he also told me what the red lines of the kremlin were, ”tweeted the latter.

However, Elon Musk’s view of events happening on the other side of Europe has earned him some criticism. Indeed, in a tweet dated October 3, the boss of Tesla made a “contested” exit by proposing a “peace plan”. It is a question of “repeating an annexation referendum in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine under the supervision of the United Nations”.

“Assuming you believe that the will of the people matters, we should, in any given conflict region, support the will of those who live there,” Elon Musk wrote, accompanying his post with a map of the 2012 legislative elections.

A few hours later, the billionaire decided to take a poll on his Twitter account, saying that “the will of people who live in the Donbass and in Crimea should determine whether they are Russians or Ukrainians”.

With 59.3% of “yes”, Elon Musk has drawn the wrath of Ukrainian power. “Crimea is in Ukraine. Donetsk is in Ukraine. Lugansk is in Ukraine”, commented the Ukrainian parliament.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to this “scandalous tweet” by taking up the same type of billionaire poll. “Which Elon Musk do you prefer? who supports Ukraine or who supports Russia?” wrote Volodymyr Zelensky.

However, on Friday October 7, things took a different turn. After agreeing to put Starlink satellites at the service of the Ukrainian army last February to facilitate communications, part of the device stopped working during the Ukrainian counter-offensive according to the Financial Times.

“This article falsely claims that Starlink terminals and service have been paid for, when only a small percentage have been. This operation cost SpaceX $80 million and will exceed $100 million by the end of the year. As for what happens on the battlefield, it is classified,” said Elon Musk.

A “peace plan” to save his empire?

With his positions, the empire built by the boss of SpaceX is faltering because of the war in Ukraine which is weakening the international economy. And the “peace plan” proposed to Vladimir Putin would then be a solution to save “his business”.

The billionaire, whose funding depends on the American public authorities, would not allow himself to alienate the United States, Ukraine’s great ally.

Moreover, after the “shocking” results of the October 3 poll, Elon Musk recalled that “our support for Russia is 0 dollars. Obviously, we are pro Ukraine”.

“Trying to retake Crimea will result in mass death, likely failure and risk of nuclear war. It would be terrible for Ukraine and the Earth,” he added.

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