Elon Musk Nimbrung When Trump Talks To Ukrainian President
JAKARTA - Tech tycoon Elon Musk joined in a telephone conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the day after the presidential election, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Trump was with Musk at Mar-a-Lago when Zelensky called to congratulate Trump on what sources explained the call was a positive and friendly conversation.
The source spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity because of the sensitiveness of the conversation.
In a telephone conversation, Zelensky thanked Musk for his assistance in providing communications via Starlink to Ukraine in an ongoing war with Russia.
The source said the telephone conversation lasted about seven minutes and no policy was discussed.
Zelensky previously said he called Trump on Wednesday and congratulated him for his historic victory.
We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unshakable US leadership is essential to the world and fair peace," Zelensky wrote.
CNN contacted Musk and Trump's team about the phone call, which Axios first reported.
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Trump's victory comes at a critical time in the conflict in Kyiv when Russia is profiting in the eastern region of Donbas, which Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to fully control.
Throughout the campaign, Trump doubts the continuation of US's commitment to Kyiv more than two and a half years after Russian forces carried out an invasion.
He also made comments showing the US could pressure Ukraine into a ceasefire that was not easy with Russia.
Musk spent more than 118 million US dollars on Trump's campaign in 2024. Elon Musk proposed to lead broad efforts to cut expenses within the federal government.
He also benefited from a billion-dollar federal contract, including from NASA, the military, and other US government agencies.
The billionaire's joining in Trump's telephone conversation with Zelensky raises questions about how it will affect future governments.