US Tech Billionaire Elon Musk has joined a call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting his growing ties with the new administration. The conversation took place via Starlink internet service, which connected the leaders while Zelensky was on a train to Budapest.
During the call, Zelensky expressed gratitude towards Musk for providing Ukraine’s military communications through Starlink, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country. Trump acknowledged Musk’s contributions to Starlink’s use in recent hurricane victims in the US and praised the tech mogul’s service.
The conversation has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials about potential changes in US policy under a Trump presidency. With Trump’s campaign not immediately responding to questions on the matter, experts speculate that Musk’s involvement may signal his commitment to joining additional calls between the president-elect and world leaders.
As one of Trump’s largest donors, Musk has accumulated significant political and economic power. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, receive billions of dollars in government contracts, making him a key player in US foreign policy decisions.
The call underscores the importance of Starlink services to Ukraine’s military efforts, with tens of thousands of devices deployed along its front lines to provide secure communication and battlefield monitoring. However, Russian troops have managed to obtain some terminals, fueling their advance on the battlefield.
With economic and military support required every month to continue fighting Russia, Ukrainian officials are concerned about what a Trump presidency might mean for the war effort. Some Ukrainians have expressed cautious optimism that Trump may prove more helpful than the Biden administration, but others fear he will cut US aid to Ukraine and pressure Kyiv to cede its territory.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/08/elon-musk-trump-zelensky-call