A virtual duel between billionaire Elon Musk and President Volodymyr Zelensky over the war in Ukraine broke out on Twitter on Monday, bringing in other Ukrainian dignitaries.
The Space X founder set things on fire by polling his Twitter followers on whether or not they were in favor of handing over Crimea to Russia and “neutral status” for Ukraine.
Seen as an affront, the business magnate’s proposal in kyiv and Moscow echoed new referendums under UN supervision.
Ukraine-Russia Peace:
– Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.
– Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).
– Water supply to Crimea assured.
– Ukraine remains neutral.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022
The olive branch extended by Musk was quick to be castigated by the Ukrainian head of state, who hit back at the Tesla CEO through another poll asking users about “what Elon Musk [préféraient-ils], the one who supports Ukraine or the one who supports Russia? »
The entrepreneur also drew the wrath of the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriï Melnyk, who retorted: “my very diplomatic answer is to go to see you”.
Presidential adviser Mykhaïlo Podoliak reacted to the controversy by submitting “a better peace plan” with the “liberation of its territories by Ukraine, including annexed Crimea”, a “compulsory demilitarization and denuclearization”. of Russia and a judgment before the International Court of Justice for “war criminals”.
.@elonmusk there is a better peace plan.
1. ???????? liberates its territories. Including the annexed Crimea.
2. ???????? Demilitarization and mandatory denuclearization so it can undergo no longer threaten others.
3. War criminals go through international tribunal.
Let’s vote?
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) October 3, 2022
Musk defended himself against his critics by evoking the risk of a possible broader mobilization of Russia, the shadow of an “all-out war” hovering and resulting in “a devastating death toll on both sides”.
I still very much support Ukraine, but am convinced that massive escalation of the war will cause great harm to Ukraine and possibly the world.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022
“A Ukrainian victory is unlikely in an all-out war. If you care about the Ukrainian people, seek peace,” he argued.
This climate of animosity comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has decreed a “partial” mobilization and threatened to resort to nuclear weapons in reaction to the recent breakthroughs of the Ukrainian army, asks kyiv to “stop hostilities” and calls for talks.
President Zelensky has maintained a hard line, saying kyiv will not negotiate with Moscow as long as Vladimir Putin is Russia’s head of state.
With Agence France-Presse