Elon Musk's unexpected role in Trump-Zelensky call
A phone conversation between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which took place on Wednesday, brought two surprises: Elon Musk also participated, and Zelensky felt somewhat reassured by what he heard from the president-elect, according to two sources familiar with the conversation, as reported by Axios.
Axios writes that the new details of the conversation show how much influence Musk may have in Trump's second administration and how uncertain Trump will approach the Ukraine issue.
Europe awaits Trump's decision
Trump's public statements during the election campaign—promising a quick end to the war, avoiding declarations about which side he would support, and criticizing the large aid packages flowing from Washington—have caused concern in Kyiv and across Europe.
The Biden administration is now looking for ways to provide Ukraine with as much military support as possible before January 20th, when Trump could cut back on the aid.
"Donald Trump's phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday included two surprises: Elon Musk was also on the line, and Zelensky was somewhat reassured by what he heard from the president-elect," Axios writes, citing sources.
- Zelensky himself felt the fact that the call happened so soon after Trump was declared the winner was a positive sign - one source conveyed. Trump has not yet spoken with Vladimir Putin after the elections, but the Russian president said he would "pick up if Trump calls."
The conversation between Trump and Zelensky was estimated to last about 25 minutes.
Conversation did not increase concern
After Zelensky congratulated Trump, the president-elect said he would support Ukraine but did not provide details. Three sources familiar with the conversation told Axios that Zelensky felt the conversation went well and did not increase his concerns regarding Trump's victory.
One source noted that it "didn't leave Zelensky with a feeling of despair."
- Musk also weighed in during the call to say he will continue supporting Ukraine through his Starlink satellites, - sources say.
Starlink has been crucial for Ukraine's war efforts. Axios reminds us that Musk has also mocked Zelensky's requests for U.S. assistance, and Zelensky reprimanded the billionaire for proposing his own peace plan in 2022.
- Trump and Zelensky did not delve into policies like Trump's purported plan to end the war, or the prospect of further U.S, - sources report.
Trump promised "not to abandon Ukraine"
Zelensky met with Trump in September in New York, where they discussed the war with Russia and a possible diplomatic path to ending it.
According to three sources familiar with this meeting, Trump told Zelensky that he would not abandon Ukraine but wanted to give diplomacy a chance.
On Thursday in Budapest, Zelensky admitted that Trump wanted to end the war quickly but emphasized that they had not discussed this in detail.
Three sources with knowledge of the Ukrainian government's assessment said that Kyiv expects that if peace talks occur, they will agree to participate. Still, Putin will either reject these talks or take steps that doom them to failure.
