Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has revealed that U.S. sanctions were the reason behind his decision to prevent a Ukrainian attack on Russia’s naval fleet in Crimea last year. Musk explained during the All-In Summit that his satellite network in the region was turned off due to U.S. sanctions against Crimea. Without explicit government approval, connectivity could not be enabled.

While Musk acknowledged that he is not a fan of President Joe Biden, he stated that he would have turned the system on if he had received a presidential directive. He emphasized that the Ukrainian government does not have control over U.S. individuals or companies. He dismissed the notion that his decision was motivated by a cozy relationship with the Russian government, calling the accusations absurd.

Musk clarified that the Ukrainians mistakenly believed that coverage was enabled all the way to Crimea, while in reality, it was not. Previous reports had mischaracterized the events, initially suggesting that Musk had ordered SpaceX engineers to turn off the satellite network.

In addition, Musk claimed that he had received a warning from the Russian ambassador to the U.S. that any Ukrainian attack on Crimea would trigger a nuclear response. This revelation sheds light on the complexities of the situation and the potential consequences that were at stake.

Although Musk was initially seen as a strong supporter of Ukraine, recent allegations have accused him of favoring the Kremlin. His proposed “peace plan,” which involves Ukraine giving up Crimea, has sparked outrage. Concerns have also been raised about the spread of Russian propaganda on Musk’s platform, X.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Musk has gained praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described him as an outstanding person and a talented businessman. This further complicates the perception of Musk’s relationship with Russia.

In conclusion, Musk attributed his decision to thwart the Ukrainian attack on Russia’s naval fleet in Crimea to U.S. sanctions. He emphasized that it would have required direct approval from the Biden administration to enable satellite communications in the region. The situation highlights the complexities and geopolitical dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict.