 "Elon Musk. Reuters")
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be offered amnesty in a neutral country as part of a transition to what he calls a return to “democracy in Ukraine.”
The comment, posted on Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) account, have sparked controversy, coming amid President Donald Trump’s significant shift in US policy toward Ukraine.
In response to a post by conservative commentator DC Draino, Musk, a confidant of Trump’s, agreed that Zelenskyy would lose power if the war ended and elections resumed in Ukraine.
Musk added that “as distasteful as it is, Zelensky [sic] should be offered some kind of amnesty in a neutral country in exchange for a peaceful transition back to democracy in Ukraine.”
In a separate post earlier, Musk had accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war for political and financial gain, saying, “Zelensky [sic] wants a forever war, a never-ending graft meat grinder. This is evil.”
The remarks had come as US President Donald Trump criticised Zelenskyy’s recent statements on the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being unwilling to pursue peace, echoing Musk’s stance.
Musk’s latest comments add to his history of controversial takes on the Ukraine war. In 2022, he proposed a peace plan that suggested Ukraine should recognize Crimea as part of Russia and allow referendums in occupied territories– ideas then widely condemned in Kyiv and the West.
US pressure on Ukraine
Musk’s remarks coincide with a dramatic shift in the US approach to Ukraine.
Trump has temporarily suspended military aid to Kyiv , with a White House official confirming that all assistance is under review to ensure it contributes to a resolution rather than prolonging the conflict.
During a recent White House meeting, Trump reportedly warned Zelenskyy that he “won’t be around very long” if he does not engage in negotiations with Russia, further raising tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, for his part, has maintained that Ukraine remains committed to achieving peace but insists that a genuine resolution cannot come at the cost of surrendering Ukrainian sovereignty. He has consistently rejected external pressure to negotiate with Russia on terms that could compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
With inputs from agencies