Elon Musk’s Controversial Remarks on Ukraine and Zelensky
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Elon Musk has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a series of inflammatory statements aimed at the Ukrainian leader. The billionaire entrepreneur, who wears multiple hats as the CEO of Tesla and X, as well as a senior adviser in the White House, accused Zelensky of being a “disgusting, massive graft machine” profiting from the sacrifices of Ukrainian soldiers amidst the ongoing war.
This barrage of unfounded allegations from Musk coincides with a week that saw Trump labeling Zelensky as a “dictator” and the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference between the U.S. and Ukraine. Furthermore, Trump’s team began negotiations regarding the conflict with Russia but notably excluded Zelensky from the discussions in Riyadh, while simultaneously demanding access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials.
Musk’s incendiary comments are likely to deepen concerns among allies that the Trump administration is aligning itself with the Kremlin’s distorted narrative surrounding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Below are the specific claims made by Musk, alongside a fact-check of each assertion.
Zelensky ‘Despised by the People of Ukraine’
What Musk said: Musk claimed that Zelensky is “despised by the people of Ukraine,” suggesting that the president is relying on a “Zelensky-controlled poll” to validate his popularity. This was shared on Musk’s social media platform, X, on Thursday.
Fact check: Musk echoed Trump’s earlier assertion that Zelensky’s approval rating had sunk to a mere 4 percent. However, this figure is unfounded, and the claim that Zelensky is universally loathed is baseless. While it is true that Zelensky’s popularity has waned since the war’s onset—when it was at a staggering 90 percent—recent polling indicates that he still enjoys considerable support. A survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology revealed that 57 percent of respondents expressed trust in Zelensky. This survey covered 1,000 participants across areas controlled by the Ukrainian government. It is important to note that conducting thorough polling is challenging in wartime, especially given the displacement of millions and the ongoing conflict.
‘I Challenge Zelensky to Hold an Election’
What Musk said: Musk challenged Zelensky to hold elections, asserting that if the president was genuinely beloved by the populace, he would not avoid a vote. Musk contended that Zelensky would face a landslide defeat if elections were held. He accused Zelensky of having complete control over Ukrainian media and claimed he canceled elections out of fear.
Fact check: The Ukrainian government has maintained that elections cannot be conducted under martial law, which is currently in effect due to the war. Zelensky won the last election in 2019 by a significant margin, and there were plans for a new election in 2024, which have since been postponed due to the invasion. Prominent figures like Sir Keir Starmer have acknowledged that suspending elections during wartime is reasonable, as demonstrated in the UK during World War II. Conducting elections now poses significant risks, including potential Russian attacks on voting locations. The call for elections has little support within Ukraine, even among opposition leaders, who understand that holding a vote now could play into the Kremlin’s hands and further divide the nation. Lawmakers have pointed out that elections should only occur once there is clarity on a potential peace agreement with Russia.
Ukraine Beset with ‘Graft and Bribery’
What Musk said: During his remarks, Musk asserted that Ukraine is riddled with “graft and bribery,” claiming that Ukrainian soldiers are being sacrificed for financial gain. He emphasized the need for empathy towards those dying on the front lines, while expressing his desire to see an end to the war.
Fact check: Corruption has indeed plagued Ukraine since its independence in 1991, a legacy inherited after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, amid the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has made strides in combating this issue, establishing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. While challenges remain, the country has seen some successes in its anti-corruption efforts. For instance, Transparency International ranked Ukraine at its highest in the Corruption Perceptions Index since 2006, placing it 104th out of 180 countries last year. Significant arrests, including high-profile officials, have also taken place, reflecting a commitment to addressing corruption. Recently, an MP from Zelensky’s party resigned amid corruption allegations involving substantial illicit enrichment.
Why is Musk Promoting Putin’s Narrative?
Experts are questioning Musk’s motivations behind his comments, with Dr. Nikhil Kalyanpur from the London School of Economics suggesting that Musk’s interests lie more with the Trump administration than with Ukraine or Russia. Kalyanpur noted that Musk appears to be aligning his views with Trump, highlighting a shared agenda between the two figures.
Kalyanpur elaborated that Trump seeks “regime change” in Ukraine to facilitate his priorities, including a substantial deal for Ukraine’s rare earth resources. The easiest way to achieve this, he suggests, is by undermining Zelensky’s legitimacy. Musk’s inflammatory remarks may be seen as a strategic move to align himself with this agenda. Dr. Mark Hilborne from King’s College London echoed similar sentiments, expressing confusion over Musk’s unfounded claims about Zelensky, suggesting they are entirely baseless and may be influenced by the broader pressure within the administration to forge a swift agreement with Putin.
Overall, while Musk’s statements have stirred considerable debate, they also reflect a complex interplay of motivations and geopolitical dynamics that continue to evolve in the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
