Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy with a sharp critique of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a recent post on his social media platform, X, Musk echoed claims made by former President Donald Trump, accusing Zelensky of running a "fraud machine feeding off the dead bodies of soldiers." This scathing remark further fuels the ongoing war of words between Trump’s allies and the Ukrainian leader.
Unfortunately, @CommunityNotes is increasingly being gamed by governments & legacy media.
Working to fix this …
It should be utterly obvious that a Zelensky-controlled poll about his OWN approval is not credible!!
If Zelensky was actually loved by the people of Ukraine, he… https://t.co/gy0NjtPwiq
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
The tech billionaire's attack on Zelensky, who has led Ukraine through nearly three years of conflict with Russia, deepens the tension between Washington and Kyiv.
Musk's comments came after the White House revealed that Trump was frustrated with Zelensky and had a personal issue with the Ukrainian president. Musk added to the fire by claiming that Zelensky had refused to call an election because he feared losing in a landslide. "In reality, he is despised by the people of Ukraine, which is why he has refused to hold an election," Musk said. "I challenge Zelensky to hold an election and refute this. He will not."
His remarks resonate with Trump’s ongoing criticism of Zelensky, who had paused elections amid the war. Musk also sided with Trump’s stance, stating that Zelensky’s refusal to call elections was linked to his desire to keep foreign aid flowing into Ukraine, painting the situation as a "massive graft machine" profiting from the war. Musk did not clarify further but suggested that Zelensky was, in his view, using the war to his advantage.
Trump, who has also labeled Zelensky a "dictator without elections," has raised questions about the legitimacy of Ukraine's leadership, despite Zelensky winning over 73 percent of the vote in the 2019 elections.
The Ukrainian president had delayed elections due to the ongoing war and martial law imposed across the country. However, some leaders have defended Zelensky's decision, with Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey comparing him to Winston Churchill, saying it was “perfectly reasonable” to suspend elections during wartime, as Britain did during World War II.
Musk’s latest attack comes at a time when the U.S. is pushing for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has voiced his frustration with Zelensky, claiming he’s been unwilling to negotiate and demanding that Ukraine show appreciation for the significant aid the U.S. has provided.
Michael Waltz
National Security Advisor of the United States
Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has backed Trump’s calls for Ukraine to engage in discussions and strike a deal over its vast mineral resources, which are seen as valuable for both Ukraine’s recovery and the U.S. economy.
Zelensky has fired back at Trump’s accusations, stating that the former U.S. president is living in a "web of disinformation." The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly emphasized that the war was not of Ukraine’s making, but rather a consequence of Russian aggression. "The future is not with Putin, but with peace," Zelensky said, urging global leaders to choose peace over aligning with the Kremlin.
As tensions between Trump and Zelensky escalate, the situation in Ukraine remains dire. The war, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has left widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis in its wake. With territories under Russian control and critical infrastructure damaged, holding elections in Ukraine remains a significant challenge. But for many, the question remains: can peace ever be reached without engaging both Russia and Ukraine in meaningful dialogue?
While the U.S. continues to send financial and military support to Ukraine, some voices in Washington argue that more pressure must be placed on Zelensky to negotiate peace terms. Trump’s allies have repeatedly said that the U.S. needs to prioritize its own interests and ensure that Ukraine repays the support it has received, particularly through the country’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals that are crucial for electronics and battery production.
The global community is watching as diplomatic efforts intensify. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to meet with President Biden to discuss the next steps in handling the crisis. While some argue for a more hardline stance against Putin, others push for a renewed focus on diplomacy to avoid a broader conflict.
The war in Ukraine has become more than just a fight between Ukraine and Russia; it's now a battle for power and resources. The U.S. and NATO have supported Ukraine, but there’s growing pressure for Ukraine to pay back this help, especially by sharing its valuable minerals like lithium and rare earth metals. These minerals are crucial for technologies like electric cars. While the U.S. wants access to these resources, Ukrainian President Zelensky refuses any deal that doesn’t include protections against Russian aggression. This disagreement adds complexity to the already difficult situation, with global consequences.
