Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has responded to Elon Musk’s suggestions to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
On Monday, the Tesla boss took to his Twitter page to suggest ways by which the lingering strife between both countries could be brought to a close.
In a tweet, Musk suggested UN-supervised elections in four occupied regions that Moscow has falsely annexed after what it called referendums. The votes were denounced by Kyiv and western governments as illegal and coercive. “Russia leaves if that is will of the people,” Musk wrote.
The Tesla chief executive also suggested that Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014, be formally recognised as Russia, that water supply to Crimea be assured, and that Ukraine remain neutral. He asked Twitter users to vote yes or no to his idea.
He tweeted;
“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.”
His suggestions were followed by a poll asking his followers for their opinion.
Over 2.7 million participated, of which 59% voted No, and 41%, yes.
In an emotional clapback, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, reacted to Musk’s suggestions by conducting his own poll asking,
“Which @elonmusk do you like more? One who supports Ukraine, or one who supports Russia.”
With over 2.4million votes, 79% of participants chose “one who supports Ukraine”, while 21% went for “one who supports Russia” in the ongoing poll.
Musk has shown support for Ukraine at the beginning of the war by supplying his SpaceX’s Starlink Satellite stations to the country.
The tech mogul also once called for a physical combat between himself and the Russian President.
Already, President Vladimir Putin of Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, on Friday.
The Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak suggested a “better peace plan” under which Ukraine took back its territories including Crimea; Russia was demilitarised and denuclearised; and “war criminals” faced an international tribunal.
Ukraine’s outspoken outgoing ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, had a blunt reaction.
“Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you @elonmusk,” tweeted Melnyk.
Other European leaders also voiced their opposition to Musk’s plan.
“Dear @elonmusk, when someone tries to steal the wheels of your Tesla, it doesn’t make them legal owner of the car or of the wheels. Even though they claim both voted in favour of it. Just saying,” Lithuania’s president, Gitanas Nausėda, tweeted in response.
But then Musk again said; “Let’s try this then: the will of the people who live in the Donbas & Crimea should decide whether they’re part of Russia or Ukraine.”
He said he didn’t care if his proposal was unpopular, arguing that he did care “that millions of people may die needlessly for an essentially identical outcome”.
In February, when Ukraine’s internet was disrupted following Russia’s invasion, Musk responded to a tweet by a Ukrainian government official seeking help. Musk said SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service was available in Ukraine and that SpaceX was sending more terminals.
