Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Elon Musk is a “true genius” and that Russia remains in close contact with him and other US partners over satellite technology. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Putin discussed Russia’s satellite internet project, referred to in the remarks as “Rusvet,” and said the two countries must prevent their satellite networks from interfering with one another in orbit.
Putin praises Musk and discusses satellite cooperation
“He is a genius, a true genius,” Putin said of Musk, according to a BBC translation of his remarks. “We are in close contact with our partners in the United States, including Mr. Musk.”
Putin said communication with Musk was important to ensure that the Rusvet and Starlink satellite networks do not “interfere with each other in orbit.”
“This is something that we and our U.S. partners mutually value, and despite all the political issues, we are working hard,” he said.
Starlink is operated by SpaceX, Musk’s space company. SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.
Russia describes Rusvet as a Starlink alternative
According to the company, Starlink has launched about 13,000 satellites to date. By contrast, only a few dozen satellites associated with Russia’s project are currently in orbit, according to online satellite trackers.
The Russian embassy in South Africa described Rasbet as “Russia’s Starlink alternative” and said it “is only the country’s first step in this field.” The project’s name also appeared as “Rasvet” and “Rusbet” in references to Putin’s remarks.
“Russia maintains close contacts with the United States in the space field, including with Elon Musk,” the embassy wrote.
Comments come amid shifting US-Russia relations
Putin’s comments about the Russian satellite project and Starlink came as relations between the United States and Russia appeared to be growing closer, even as the five-year anniversary of Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approached.
Ukraine has relied on Starlink internet service to help keep Russian forces at bay. However, the country’s military experienced sudden Starlink connectivity problems the previous week, and Musk admitted that SpaceX had caused the disruption deliberately.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced a diesel import deal with Russia intended to lower gasoline prices, which had risen because of the war between the US and Iran. Trump later waived some sanctions against Russia that had been scheduled to take effect.
Shortly afterward, an American was released from Russian custody. US envoy Steve Witkoff described Putin as a “humanitarian.”
Musk’s US business and political ties
Musk was born in South Africa and later immigrated to Canada before settling in the United States. His business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, are based in the United States, with most of their operations in California and Texas.
The multibillionaire is one of Trump’s biggest political allies and financiers, as well as a major donor to other Republican US politicians.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk