Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparred on Twitter over how the United States should cope with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Musk, who is thought to be the richest person in the world, has been weighing in on political issues of late, and said the “solution” to the war between Russia and Ukraine should include Crimea being given to Russia by Ukraine, according to Fox News.
The SpaceX CEO also asserted Ukraine should promise to stay out of NATO, which they have indicated they would like to join, and Russia should take those concessions and end their military incursion into Ukraine.
Musk also tweeted the United States should respect the outcome of some of the referendum elections in the eastern part of the nation of Ukraine.
Ukraine-Russia Peace:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022
– Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.
– Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).
– Water supply to Crimea assured.
– Ukraine remains neutral.
Graham disagreed with Musk’s assessment, however, saying the flaw in the businessman’s logic was likely due to a misunderstanding of the facts of the case.
“With all due respect to Elon Musk – and I do respect him – I would suggest he needs to understand the facts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Graham tweeted Wednesday.
The lawmaker added, “Suggesting we end the Russian invasion by simply giving Russia parts of Ukraine – after all the suffering – is dumb. It is also an affront to the bravery of the Ukrainians fighting to defend their homeland.”
Suggesting we end the Russian invasion by simply giving Russia parts of Ukraine – after all the suffering – is dumb.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 5, 2022
It is also an affront to the bravery of the Ukrainians fighting to defend their homeland.
“Assuming you believe that the will of the people matters, we should, in any given conflict region, support the will of those who live there,” Musk tweeted in response to Republican’s multi-tweet explanation of relevant facts.
Musk added, “Most of Ukraine unequivocally wants to be part of Ukraine, but some eastern portions have Russian majorities and prefer Russia.”
Assuming you believe that the will of the people matters, we should, in any given conflict region, support the will of those who live there.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 6, 2022
Most of Ukraine unequivocally wants to be part of Ukraine, but some eastern portions have Russian majorities and prefer Russia.
Graham ended his comments on the subject saying the United States should direct its attention to changing its own policy, specifically pertaining to electric vehicles, which is Musk’s primary business industry.
In 1994, through the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons arsenal — the third largest in the world — in return for assurances their territorial integrity would be protected.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 5, 2022
To do otherwise is to legitimize a bait and switch by Russia and a signal to other bad actors to take what you want – by force!
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 5, 2022
If Elon Musk and others want the world to continue to be in chaos, then by all means capitulate to Putin and reward his aggression.
It could be a good way to help save money by applying those funds to assisting Ukrainians in defending their homeland!
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 5, 2022
Musk’s theoretical plan has already recieved support from The Kremlin, according to Fox News. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “It is very positive that somebody like Elon Musk is looking for a peaceful way out of this situation.
“Compared to many professional diplomats, Musk is still searching for ways to achieve peace. And achieving peace without fulfilling Russia’s conditions is absolutely impossible,” Peskov added.
