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KYIV — President-elect Donald Trump put billionaire Elon Musk on the line with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when the Ukrainian leader called to congratulate the incoming U.S. president, according to a Ukrainian official with direct knowledge of the phone call.
The source, who was not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed that Zelenskyy and Musk spoke during the call with Trump, though Musk did not appear to be on the line for the entire conversation.
Trump reportedly handed his phone over to Musk at one point, with the Ukrainian president thanking the SpaceX owner for assisting his country with access to the Starlink satellite internet platform.
Musk’s involvement in the call highlights his growing influence in Trump’s circle. The president-elect has suggested that Musk could play a formal role in his administration, potentially focusing on government efficiency. This has raised questions about possible conflicts of interest, given SpaceX’s lucrative government contracts.
Trump’s interactions with Zelenskyy are being closely scrutinized as he prepares to take office on January 20, especially given his signals of a potential shift in Washington’s strong support for Ukraine amidst Russia’s nearly three-year-old invasion.
Trump has promised to swiftly end the war and proposed that Ukraine may need to cede some territory to Moscow in exchange for peace, a suggestion that Zelenskyy has rejected.
Under Trump’s administration, the U.S. was the first to send weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russia in 2017, with the Javelin anti-tank missiles playing a crucial role in Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
President Joe Biden’s administration has sent tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Ukraine, which has faced criticism from Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, who are critical of U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and suggest those resources could be better spent domestically.
Trump has frequently praised his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine. He has also described Zelenskyy as “the greatest salesman on earth” for his ability to secure U.S. aid.
Zelenskyy is among numerous world leaders and business executives who have spoken with Trump since he won the White House. Trump’s transition team has declined to comment on private conversations. — Agencies
