Report: Musk's Secret Talks with Putin Include Starlink Request for Xi

Oct 25, 2024, 01:33 AM

According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a linchpin of U.S. space efforts, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. The discussions have reportedly touched on topics including geopolitics, business, and personal matters, raising security concerns given Musk's significant contracts with the U.S. government. At one point, Putin allegedly asked Musk to avoid activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to people familiar with the matter. Musk's communications with Putin have purportedly continued into this year as he has stepped up criticism of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and become increasingly involved in U.S. politics.