New York, N.Y. — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent praise for billionaire Elon Musk, likening him to Soviet space legend Sergei Korolev, is nothing short of nauseating.
Speaking to students at Bauman Moscow State Technical University on April 16, 2025, Putin gushed, “There’s a man—he lives in the States—Musk, who, you could say, raves about Mars.”
The audacity of these remarks, cloaked in admiration, reeks of calculated opportunism at a time when global tensions demand scrutiny, not sycophancy.
Putin’s words are no innocent flattery.
They come as Russia and the United States forge closer ties under President Donald Trump’s second administration, with Musk, the SpaceX founder, playing a pivotal role.
This is the same Musk whose company has been instrumental in providing Starlink satellites to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Yet, Putin’s comparison of Musk to Korolev—a revered engineer behind the Soviet Union’s Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 spaceflight—feels like a deliberate slap in the face to those who value democratic principles.
The timing couldn’t be more galling.
Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, has been sanctioned since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, forcing the European Space Agency to rely on SpaceX’s rockets. Meanwhile, Musk has faced criticism for urging an end to U.S. military aid to Ukraine, a stance that aligns uncomfortably with Kremlin interests.
Putin’s praise, then, isn’t just a nod to Musk’s Mars dreams—it’s a cynical bid to exploit a billionaire’s influence in Trump’s inner circle.
Let’s not mince words: this is grotesque.
Putin, a leader who has orchestrated a brutal war, dares to elevate Musk as a “pioneer” while glossing over SpaceX’s contributions to Ukraine’s resistance.
The comparison to Korolev, a man who toiled under Stalin’s oppressive regime, is an insult to history. Korolev’s achievements were monumental, but they were born of a system that crushed dissent. Musk, for all his flaws, operates in a free society—yet Putin’s flattery suggests a troubling willingness to blur these lines for political gain.
The implications are chilling.
Posts on X reflect a growing unease, with users calling Putin’s remarks a “disgraceful power play” and questioning Musk’s silence. The billionaire’s coziness with Trump, coupled with his reported secret talks with Putin in 2024, only fuels suspicions.
Is Musk complicit in this geopolitical charade, or merely a pawn? Either way, his failure to denounce Putin’s praise is deafening.
This isn’t just about one man’s ego.
Putin’s comments signal a broader strategy to cozy up to American powerbrokers while undermining Western unity. Russia’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has already floated U.S.-Russian cooperation on Mars exploration, citing Roscosmos and Rosatom’s expertise.
The idea of such collaboration, when Russia continues to destabilize Ukraine, is as absurd as it is alarming. It’s a reminder that Putin’s charm offensives are never without ulterior motives.
The world should be repulsed.
Musk’s innovations at SpaceX have reshaped space travel, but they don’t grant him immunity from accountability. His flirtations with controversial figures and policies—whether it’s questioning Ukraine aid or amplifying divisive rhetoric—make Putin’s praise all the more unsettling. The U.S. public deserves better than a billionaire who seems to revel in autocratic adulation while wielding outsized influence over national policy.
As Trump’s administration deepens ties with Moscow, the stakes are higher than ever.
Putin’s remarks should serve as a wake-up call, not a cause for celebration. The international community must demand transparency from Musk and vigilance from the U.S. government. If Musk truly aspires to be a visionary, he should reject Putin’s hollow flattery and reaffirm his commitment to democratic values. Anything less is a betrayal of the principles that enable his success.
This nauseating episode underscores a grim reality: in the game of global power, even pioneers can become pawns. The world is watching, and it’s time for Musk to decide which side of history he’s on.
Putin’s Praise for Musk Sparks Outrage Amid Geopolitical Tensions (April 17, 2025)
#PutinMusk #ElonMusk #RussiaUS #SpaceX #Geopolitics
Tags: Putin, Musk, Russia, SpaceX, geopolitics, Soviet Union, U.S.-Russia relations
Discover more from The Stewardship Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
