Musk Backs Criticism Of Zelenskyy That Says He ‘doesn’t Want Peace’

Elon Musk expressed tacit support for a post accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prioritizing power and money over pursuing peace, as the United States looks to negotiate an end to Russia’s war.

“Zelensky doesn’t want peace, he wants money and power,” a user of Musk’s platform X wrote Tuesday, to which Musk replied with the "100" emoji, apparently signaling his agreement.

Musk has been President Donald Trump’s main hatchet man as the two look to pare down the federal government. But he has also increasingly thrown his weight around on the international stage, wading into European politics and backing far-right politicians from the United Kingdom to Germany.

Musk has jabbed at the Ukrainian leader before, scoffing at his calls for Western aid to help his country fend off Russia’s invasion and mocking his statement that Ukraine is an independent country and cannot be forced to the negotiating table with Russia.

In the early days of the war, Musk donated thousands of Starlink satellite internet system terminals to Ukraine to replace communications services destroyed by Russia and was hailed as one of Kyiv’s most important allies.

But that narrative flipped after he began spreading what Ukraine said was pro-Russian propaganda via X. He has since condemned the provision of American aid “with no accountability and no end game” to Ukraine and has been a sharp critic of Zelenskyy.

Musk made a surprise appearance on a call between Trump and Zelenskyy last November. The two had a “normal conversation,” with Zelenskyy thanking Musk for providing Starlink terminals, according to a Ukrainian official at the time.

Negotiators for Russia and the U.S. met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. But Zelenskyy claimed the negotiations were held without Kyiv’s input or knowledge, and the country did not take part. European officials were also sidelined from the meeting.