Marta Gichko10:58, 25.10.24

Musk’s contacts with the Kremlin could serve as an informal channel for preparing future agreements that Trump seeks.

An American billionaire has been in active contact with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for two years . The contacts may be linked to Ukraine, according to a major investigation by The Wall Street Journal .

Musk’s contacts with Putin may indicate Trump’s desire to strike a “grand bargain” with Russia that would include Ukraine. Musk, as a prominent supporter of the Trump campaign, could be an important link in the informal dialogue with the Kremlin, especially given his contacts with Russian officials and discussions on ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to reach an agreement with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, ending his support for the conflict through a stronger foreign policy. In the context of Musk’s contacts with Putin, these statements appear to be part of a larger strategy to broker a deal on Ukraine through intermediaries and involve business leaders who have trusted relationships with both sides. Musk’s contacts with the Kremlin may thus serve as an informal channel for the kind of future agreements that Trump seeks if he returns to the presidency.

According to political scientist Ian Bremmer, Musk discussed the Kremlin’s position and Russia’s “red lines” on Ukraine with Putin. During one of the conversations with Bremmer, Musk conveyed Putin’s view that Russia seeks to maintain control over Crimea and ensure Ukraine’s neutrality, threatening a possible nuclear strike if Kyiv tries to return Crimea to its control. Musk noted that, in his opinion, “everything possible must be done to avoid such a scenario.”

Later in 2022, Musk posted on the X platform (Twitter) his vision for a path to peace in Ukraine, which analysts said reflected some of the Kremlin’s conditions, including recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and Ukraine’s neutrality outside NATO.

(c)UNIAN 2024