Ukraine’s parliament and its speaker have taunted billionaire Elon Musk on social media after he posted a meme mocking President Zelenskiy’s pleas for wartime assistance from the West. The owner of SpaceX, which provides vital satellite communication services for Ukraine’s defence effort, has occasionally angered Kyiv with his statements since Russia’s invasion. Musk’s meme showed Zelenskiy and the caption: ‘When it’s been 5 minutes and you haven’t asked for a billion dollars in aid.’ In response, the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament posted his own meme referencing SpaceX’s failed rocket launch. The parliament accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda and criticized his silence or irony about Ukraine, stating that it played into the hands of Russian propaganda. Ukrainian officials have previously criticized Musk for suggesting giving up land for peace, a stance firmly rejected by Kyiv. The tensions continue as the U.S. recently omitted aid for Ukraine from a funding measure to avert a government shutdown. The U.S. has been the largest single donor to Ukraine since Russia’s full invasion last year, providing significant military and financial aid. With Ukraine seeking assistance during these challenging times, the actions and statements of individuals like Musk hold significant weight and influence the ongoing dynamics of the conflict.
