Muskow

For a multitude of reasons Elon Musk is raising eyebrows in America, but one in particular is indeed worrying: Is he considered a threat to national security because of his ties with China?

What then do we ask of his ties with Russia?

Musk’s interactions with Russia should draw the same attention due to his role as a prominent tech entrepreneur with significant influence over companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and X, as well as his involvement in geopolitically sensitive projects.

Reports from late 2024, notably from The Wall Street Journal, reveal that Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. These conversations reportedly covered personal, business, and geopolitical topics. One specific instance highlighted Putin asking Musk not to activate Starlink – SpaceX’s satellite internet service – over Taiwan, as a favour to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, reflecting Russia’s alignment with China. The Kremlin has downplayed this, claiming only one call occurred – focusing on space and technology – while Musk has not directly confirmed or denied the extent of these interactions publicly.

Musk’s Starlink has been a focal point in his Russia-related dealings, particularly in the context of the Ukraine war. After Russia’s 2022 invasion, Musk provided Starlink terminals to Ukraine for free, aiding their military communications. However, his stance shifted over time. In September 2022, he reportedly refused to extend Starlink coverage to Crimea for a Ukrainian attack on Russian forces, citing fears of escalation, possibly influenced by discussions with Russian officials. By 2023, SpaceX stopped funding the service, prompting the Pentagon to step in with contracts to maintain it. Musk has since emphasised Starlink’s critical role in Ukraine’s defense, stating in 2025 on X that he’d never disable it, as it props up their front lines against Russia’s jamming capabilities. Yet, evidence emerged in 2024 that Russian forces were also using Starlink on the battlefield, raising questions about its distribution and Musk’s control over its use.

Beyond Starlink, Musk’s public statements have occasionally aligned with Russian interests. In October 2022, he proposed a Ukraine-Russia peace plan on X – suggesting Ukraine cede Crimea, hold U.N.-supervised referendums in occupied territories, and adopt neutrality – which echoed Kremlin talking points and drew sharp criticism from Kyiv. The Kremlin praised the idea, though it’s unclear if this stemmed from direct coordination. Musk’s shift from supporting Ukraine to critiquing U.S. aid and advocating negotiation mirrors a broader evolution in his rhetoric, possibly influenced by his reported Putin contacts.

On the business front, I cannot find any concrete evidence of direct commercial dealings between Musk’s companies and Russia. Tesla has no manufacturing presence there, unlike its significant operations in China, and SpaceX’s government contracts are primarily with the U.S. (conflict of interest, much?). However, Musk’s security clearance and SpaceX’s role in U.S. national security – launching satellites and supporting NASA – have fueled concerns about his Russian ties. U.S. officials, including NASA chief Bill Nelson in 2024, called for investigations into whether these interactions compromise sensitive information, though no formal breaches have been confirmed.

Russia has also engaged with Musk’s tech indirectly. In 2024, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a Putin ally, showcased a Tesla Cybertruck modified with a machine gun for use in Ukraine, praising Musk, though it’s unlikely Musk supplied it directly. Russian state media and officials have oscillated between lauding Musk’s innovations and threatening him over Starlink’s role in Ukraine, reflecting a complex dynamic.

Summarising, Musk’s dealings with Russia have centred on reported high-level communications with Putin, Starlink’s dual role in the Ukraine conflict, and his public positions that sometimes align with Moscow’s narrative. While no hard evidence shows illicit business transactions or security violations, the opacity of his Russian contacts – set against his U.S. government ties – keeps the topic under scrutiny. The full extent remains murky, as Musk and the Kremlin offer limited transparency.

Is Musk considered a security threat because of his ties with Russia, as they suggest he might be because of his ties with China? I’m assuming, of course, that Russia is still the sworn enemy of the United States. Under the Trump administration, who can tell?

See also: Sleeping with the enemy

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