Elon Musk Briefly Joins Trump's Call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Saturday 09 November 2024 - 09:11

WASHINGTON – Elon Musk made a brief, unexpected appearance during a call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, according to an informed source.

While Musk was not initially scheduled to join the call, he entered the room and briefly greeted Zelenskyy, the source said. Musk was not involved in any substantial discussions between the leaders. The initial report on Musk's appearance was published by Axios and has since been verified by other outlets.

Representatives from Trump’s transition team declined to comment on Friday, and neither Musk nor the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington responded to media inquiries.

Zelenskyy later described the conversation with Trump as "excellent," emphasizing a commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation. "Strong and unwavering U.S. leadership is essential for global peace and justice," Zelenskyy posted on X.

Trump has previously asserted that he could "settle" the war quickly, even before officially taking office, though he did not specify his approach. During his recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump sidestepped a direct answer on supporting a Ukrainian victory, instead stating it would be in the U.S.'s interest to “get the war finished."

Vice President-elect JD Vance has echoed the idea that Ukraine may need to consider territorial concessions to reach peace.

Musk’s engagement in the region has also drawn attention. Early in the conflict, Musk’s SpaceX company provided Starlink internet receivers to support Ukrainian communications. However, Musk has also faced criticism from Ukrainian officials after suggesting potential territorial concessions to Russia, including ceding Crimea as part of a peace proposal, a stance that was not well received by Zelenskyy and other leaders.