Elon Musk made a surprise appearance during the first official conversation between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that Musk joined the call, during which President Zelenskyy congratulated President-elect Trump on his win. Details of Musk’s exact role were not disclosed, but it was reported that Musk expressed his intent to continue supporting Ukraine through his Starlink satellite network, which is critical to Ukraine’s wartime communications.
Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump voiced skepticism about continued U.S. aid to Ukraine and emphasized a swift resolution to its conflict with Russia. This raised concerns across Europe. Despite this, during the call, Trump assured Zelenskyy of support, although specifics on policies or military aid were not provided. Zelenskyy reportedly interpreted both the call’s timing and Trump’s reassurances as a positive sign. Trump and his advisors have privately conveyed more supportive messages about Ukraine than the campaign had suggested.
President Zelenskyy posted on X that he had an excellent call with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his historic landslide victory, attributing it to Trump’s tremendous campaign. Musk’s unexpected appearance during the call could point to his influence in the upcoming Trump administration. The call between Trump and Zelenskyy is expected to be the first of many between the two sides as they navigate America’s involvement in the ongoing conflict. Musk’s participation in the call reflects his continued commitment to supporting Ukraine through his satellite network.
In addition to joining the call between Trump and Zelenskyy, Musk reportedly also joined a recent call between Trump and Turkish President Erdoğan, according to reporting from Axios. Musk’s involvement in these diplomatic calls highlights his potential role in shaping the foreign policy of the incoming Trump administration. While Musk has not publicly commented on his participation in the calls, his presence suggests that he may play a significant role in supporting Ukraine and other countries through his technology and resources.
As both Trump’s team and Zelenskyy’s advisors navigate America’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Musk’s participation in diplomatic calls with world leaders signals his commitment to leveraging his resources for international cooperation and support. Trump’s reassurances to Zelenskyy during the call, along with Musk’s expressed intent to continue supporting Ukraine, point to a potential shift in the U.S.’s approach to foreign policy and aid. The upcoming administration’s conversations with Zelenskyy’s team are likely to influence the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations under President-elect Trump’s leadership.