Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and a pivotal figure in Donald Trump’s election campaign, has reportedly been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years, according to a recent article by The Wall Street Journal. Citing former and current officials from the US, Europe, and Russia, the report reveals that Musk and Putin’s discussions have spanned personal matters and geopolitical issues. Notably, Putin allegedly requested that Musk refrain from activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping, an ally of Putin.

The potential consequences of this secretive dialogue between Musk and Putin could be significant for Western security interests. Musk is instrumental to the US space program and holds a high-level security clearance. His company, SpaceX, is responsible for launching US national security satellites, and his Starlink system plays a crucial role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Moreover, Musk controls X, one of the globe’s largest social media platforms, which has been tied to Russian disinformation efforts.

Adding complexity to the situation is the possibility that if Trump is victorious in the upcoming November 5 election, Musk may have a meaningful role within the new US administration. The billionaire has heavily financed Trump’s campaign and has made a series of public appearances at rallies. Trump has even proposed that Musk could lead a government commission focused on efficiency.

“This narrative illustrates the influence of oligarchs on the US political landscape,” remarked Fiona Hill, who served as senior director for European and Russian affairs under Trump. She drew parallels between the current environment in the US and the golden age of Russian oligarchs following the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Hill pointed out that should figures like Musk help secure Trump’s re-election, they might anticipate favorable regulatory changes. “He could command government contracts, possibly from an official government position, and numerous military forces globally, including Ukraine, rely on his technologies,” she highlighted.

Additionally, journalist Bob Woodward recently disclosed in his latest book that Trump has engaged in up to seven private phone conversations with Putin since leaving office. While Trump opted not to comment on the specifics, he noted that speaking with Putin would have been “a smart thing.”

The Wall Street Journal’s article underscores that the details of Musk’s interactions with Putin have been closely guarded, with some officials within the Biden administration reportedly unaware of the extent of these communications. Musk has yet to respond to the revelations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the only contact the Kremlin had with Musk was one telephone conversation focusing on “space and current and future technologies,” denying the existence of regular discussions.

However, the Journal claimed that Musk’s conversations with senior Russian officials continued from 2022 into this year, including interactions with Sergei Kiriyenko, Putin’s first deputy chief of staff. Notably, Kiriyenko was implicated last month by the US Department of Justice for establishing internet domains intended to disseminate Russian disinformation aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and influencing the US presidential election.

In October 2022, Musk publicly proposed a “Ukraine-Russia peace” plan that largely mirrored Moscow’s stance. Political scientist Ian Bremmer, who leads the consultancy Eurasia Group, indicated that Musk told him he had direct conversations with Putin and other Kremlin officials regarding Ukraine. While Musk has denied Bremmer’s account, Hill, who attended an elite conference in Aspen with Musk a month prior, corroborated Bremmer’s claims. “He did inform Ian Bremmer that he was in contact with Putin, and he shared that with many others. Essentially, he was conveying messages that Putin had communicated to him,” she stated.