Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he respects billionaire Elon Musk and would like him to be as supportive of Ukraine as possible. The Ukrainian leader made this remark during an interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman.
Zelensky shared that he had spoken with Musk at the beginning of the war.
"I respect him. Firstly, I respect self-made individuals; I admire such people. Nothing just fell from the sky; the person achieved something on their own. I have worked myself, and I understand what it means to earn money, to find talented people... and to do something important for various individuals," the president said, adding that he does not compare himself to Musk.
According to him, Musk is a leader in global innovation. Zelensky emphasized that such individuals push the world forward, which is why he respects the results of his work.
"And for me, it is very important that this result is usable; it’s not just words," Zelensky noted, thanking Musk for the "Starlinks," which have greatly assisted Ukraine.
"We are very grateful for the Starlinks; they have been helpful. We used them after Russian strikes, rockets targeted energy facilities, and there were issues with the internet. We utilized the Starlinks at the front lines, in kindergartens, in schools, and in various infrastructures. They helped us tremendously," the president explained.
He expressed a strong desire for Musk to be as supportive of Ukraine as possible and to back our country.
The president also mentioned that he would like Elon Musk to visit Ukraine, "so he can talk to people here, see for himself."
Elon Musk - Statements on Ukraine
Commenting on the provision of a new American aid package worth $2.5 billion to Ukraine, Elon Musk referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the "greatest champion of all time" in terms of looting.
Earlier, the billionaire mocked the words of the Ukrainian president regarding Ukraine being an independent country, stating that the U.S. cannot force it to sit silently at the negotiating table.