Vladimir Putin has been full of praise for Elon Musk, calling him a rare “pioneer” for his ambitious plans to reach Mars. The Russian president, who has long admired Donald Trump, is also keen on Musk’s goals and didn’t hold back in his compliments.
🌍 Mars Ambitions Get Putin’s Nod
Putin, speaking at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, said of Musk: “You know, there’s a man – he lives in the [United] States – Musk, who, one might say, raves about Mars.”
He continued, “It is not often that such people, charged with a certain idea, appear in the human population. It seems incredible to me today, after a while, such ideas often materialise.”
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, is working on the goal of reaching Mars by 2026. Putin draws a comparison to the Soviet space pioneers, particularly Sergei Korolev, who led the USSR’s space race during the Cold War.
🚀 From Korolev to Musk: A Long History of Space Visionaries
Putin likened Musk’s dreams to those of past Russian space legends, stating, “Just like in their time the ideas of Korolev, our other pioneers, got to materialise. They seemed incredible – some of the plans they made. But they all materialised.”
Korolev, often referred to as the father of the Soviet space programme, made history with the launch of Sputnik and the first human spaceflight.
🌍 A Growing Love Affair Between Putin, Trump, and Musk
This isn’t the first time Putin has expressed admiration for Musk. Last year, he told Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News anchor, that “there’s no stopping Elon Musk” and that he would “do as he sees fit.”
Interestingly, these comments come amid the US’s push to broker a peace deal in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. While the West is pressing for a resolution, some in the US, including Trump’s allies, have sided with Russia.
🛑 Controversy Around Musk’s Comments on Ukraine
Musk has also stirred controversy by echoing Kremlin talking points. He once claimed that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had started a “forever war” with Russia, despite it being Putin who invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russia still occupies significant portions of Ukrainian land, and peace talks remain stagnant.
💬 The Kremlin-White House Friendship Continues
Musk’s stance, alongside Trump’s continued support for Putin, makes for a growing alliance between the Russian leader and the US right-wing. However, this raises concerns, particularly as Russia continues its occupation of Ukrainian territories.
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