Elon Musk took part in Trump call with Zelensky, says Ukrainian official

KYIV - Mr Elon Musk took part in a phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump after his election victory, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP on Nov 8.

“I confirm it,” the presidency official who asked to remain anonymous said, adding that the claim in a report by US news site Axios about the call on Nov 6 was accurate.

Mr Musk, the world’s richest man, played a major role in the Republican’s campaign, spending over US$110 million (S$146 million) of his personal fortune to help get him elected. Trump has said he aims to include Mr Musk in some form of advisory role in his upcoming government.

Mr Musk’s presence during an official call underlines his close ties to the next US president.

Another high-ranking Ukrainian source said Mr Musk was physically present with Trump during the call.

Mr Musk “wasn’t on the line, Trump gave him the phone. They were there together somewhere”, the source said.

Mr Zelensky “thanked him (Mr Musk) for the Starlinks, they talked briefly”, the source said, referring to the satellite internet devices used by Ukrainian troops as they fight off a Russian invasion.

“But the main conversation was of course with Trump,” the source added, while saying the President-elect and Mr Zelensky “didn’t really discuss anything substantial, it was just a greeting conversation”.

Zelensky congratulates Trump

Mr Zelensky earlier said he and Trump shared an “excellent” call, during which he congratulated the Republican on his “tremendous victory” and they agreed to “maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation”.

He did not mention speaking to Mr Musk.

When contacted by AFP, Trump’s team declined to confirm the Tesla boss’ participation in the call, saying they would not discuss private conversations.

Axios reported, citing two sources, that the call lasted some 25 minutes and left Mr Zelensky somewhat reassured by what he heard from Trump, without giving specifics.

Mr Zelensky said after the call that “strong and unwavering US leadership” under Trump was “vital” for a “just peace”.

Trump has repeatedly boasted that he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours and criticised American aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

Washington has been a key military backer of Ukraine and many in Ukraine are worried that Trump will not give the same level of support – or that he could back a peace settlement to Russia’s advantage.

On Nov 7, Mr Zelensky said it would be “unacceptable” for Europe to offer the Kremlin concessions to halt its invasion of Ukraine, after Moscow demanded the West enter direct talks on ending the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov 7 hailed Trump as “courageous” for the way he handled himself following an assassination attempt at a rally in July, and said he was “ready” to hold discussions with him. AFP