The tech billionaire’s actions, from restricting Starlink use to proposing peace plans, have sparked heated debates.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter, has found himself at the centre of controversy due to his involvement in Ukraine’s war with Russia. While his initial support for Ukraine included sending 20,000 Starlink terminals to help restore communication after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, his recent actions have raised eyebrows.
Musk has been criticised for limiting the use of his Starlink satellite broadband service to Ukraine’s military forces, particularly after it was used to facilitate drone strikes. Despite the service becoming essential for Ukraine’s communications during the conflict, Musk has expressed discomfort with its military use. He made it clear that SpaceX would not allow Starlink to be utilised for long-range attacks, reinforcing that the service was intended for peaceful purposes only.
In response to these restrictions, Ukrainian officials have issued strong remarks, with Mykhailo Podolyak urging companies like SpaceX to choose sides—either with Ukraine or with Russia. Musk defended his position, stating that he did not want to contribute to escalating the conflict into World War III. He emphasized that Starlink was never intended to be weaponized, and although it has become vital to Ukraine’s military, its primary function should remain peaceful.
Musk has also drawn significant attention for his earlier suggestion to end the war by proposing a peace plan that included Russia retaining Crimea and holding new elections in contested areas. The idea sparked outrage in Ukraine, with President Zelensky countering Musk’s poll with one of his own asking his followers which version of Musk they preferred—one who supports Ukraine or one who supports Russia.
Despite the backlash, Musk continued to assert his belief that a massive escalation of the war would bring devastating consequences, not just for Ukraine, but for the world. His complex stance on the matter, navigating between providing support and urging for de-escalation, has made him a polarising figure in the ongoing conflict.
