Ukraine president on Elon Musk ‘supporting with words, deeds’, a post-war plan

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday tweeted about a conversation with SpaceX boss Elon Musk who last week offered services of his Starlink satellite internet access coverage after an SOS from the vice prime minister. “Talked to @elonmusk. I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds. Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities. Discussed possible space projects. But I’ll talk about this after the war. (sic)” the Ukranian president wrote.

Musk has been regularly using Twitter to take a stand as Russia wages a war on Ukraine. On Saturday, he wrote: “Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist. (sic).”

Ukraine has been witnessing a disruption in Internet services, and supply of essentials with the Kremlin offensive entering the 11th day and several major cities under attack, including the capital city of Kyiv.

All top leaders and citizens, however, have been using social media to update the world about what’s happening, their challenges and the resistance. In Russia, the access to Twitter and Facebook has been cut and war coverage has been hindered with a new “fake news” law.

Starlink’s satellite technology can provide internet in hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach.

At a time when the West is still trying to find means to stop Moscow, Elon Musk on Saturday called for the US to increase oil supplies to reduce Russia dependence. Interestingly, the billionaire businessman has been an advocate of clean energy.

“Hate to say it, but we need to increase oil & gas output immediately. Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. (sic),” he tweeted.

Ukraine has seen over a thousand deaths since week and a million people fleeing their homes. Russia’s Vladimir Putin is yet to relent despite global sanctions.