Ukraine gives Musk state honour, CIA chief visited Moscow

President Volodymyr Zelensky has honored SpaceX owner Elon Musk with Ukraine's Order of Freedom, recognizing his significant contributions to protecting human life and fostering relations between Ukraine and the United States. The award highlights Musk's pivotal role in providing Starlink satellite internet terminals, which have become essential for Ukraine's battlefield communications and drone operations since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

“

for outstanding personal contributions to protecting human life and freedom, and for developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States of America.

Musk's decision to activate Starlink over Ukraine shortly after the invasion proved critical. The service has since become a lifeline for Ukrainian forces. Earlier this year, Musk reportedly agreed to disable thousands of Russian "grey-market" Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine, a move that reportedly caused difficulties for Russian military operations. This action was reportedly at the behest of Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Minister of Digital Transformation.

“

major escalation

Ukraine is now seeking permission to use Starlink terminals over Russian territory to target military assets, including launchers for ballistic missiles that have caused widespread destruction in Ukrainian cities. President Zelensky indicated that Musk initially opposed this move, viewing it as a "major escalation" of the conflict. However, Ukraine has since received "more encouraging feedback," suggesting a potential shift in Musk's stance. Utilizing Starlink over Russia could degrade capabilities Russia relies on to prolong the war.

“

started to receive a different, more encouraging feedback.

In parallel developments, CIA Director John Ratcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow during a visit yesterday. The Kremlin confirmed the meetings but stated that Ratcliffe did not meet with President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin was briefed on the discussions, which occur amidst escalating tensions in Ukraine and stalled peace talks between the US and Iran. Peskov described the contacts between security services as positive, even during difficult bilateral relations, though he cautioned it was too early to determine if they would help resolve the profound crisis in US-Russia relations. Meanwhile, repairs to a Russian grain terminal in Novorossiysk, damaged in recent attacks, may take up to four months.

“

All I can tell you is that there have been contacts via the security services. I can tell you that there have been no meetings with the Russian president. Naturally, President Putin is kept informed of everything without delay.