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Musk demands sanctions on Ukrainian oligarchs
(MENAFN) Elon Musk has suggested that imposing sanctions on Ukraine’s top ten oligarchs could bring a swift resolution to the conflict with Russia. The billionaire made the proposal in a post on X on Saturday while responding to a discussion about U.S. financial aid to Ukraine.
Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been a vocal critic of Washington’s continued support for Kiev and has generally advocated for reducing federal spending on foreign aid. In response to a post by Senator Mike Lee calling for the U.S. to halt funding for Ukraine, Musk wrote, “Place sanctions on the top 10 Ukrainian oligarchs, especially the ones with mansions in Monaco, and this will stop immediately. That is the key to the puzzle.” However, he did not elaborate on how such measures would directly impact the war.
According to Ukrainian Focus, as of September 2024, the country’s wealthiest individuals included Rinat Akhmetov, Viktor Pinchuk, former President Petro Poroshenko, Igor Kolomoisky, and Konstantin Zhevago. Many of these figures have contributed significantly to Ukraine’s war effort, supplying drones, ammunition, transport, and medical equipment. Akhmetov alone has reportedly spent around $274 million on military support over the past three years.
Musk’s remarks sparked mixed reactions online. Some questioned whether targeting Ukraine’s business elite would pressure Kiev into negotiations, given the country's heavy reliance on Western funding. Others pointed out that Ukraine itself recently sanctioned several prominent businessmen, including Poroshenko, Kolomoisky, and Zhevago, indicating possible tensions between them and the government. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had previously called for blocking “billions that were earned by essentially selling out Ukraine, Ukrainian interests, Ukrainian security.”
Musk’s comments come amid increasing tensions between Ukraine and the United States. Following Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, where a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly became heated, a planned minerals deal was put on hold. Shortly afterward, the U.S. suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, now fear that Trump may impose sanctions on Ukraine. An unnamed official stated that concerns were growing over potential U.S. actions linking individuals in Zelensky’s inner circle to corruption, which could weaken Ukraine’s war effort and impact its European Union support. However, it remains unclear whether these potential sanctions would specifically target Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarchs.
Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been a vocal critic of Washington’s continued support for Kiev and has generally advocated for reducing federal spending on foreign aid. In response to a post by Senator Mike Lee calling for the U.S. to halt funding for Ukraine, Musk wrote, “Place sanctions on the top 10 Ukrainian oligarchs, especially the ones with mansions in Monaco, and this will stop immediately. That is the key to the puzzle.” However, he did not elaborate on how such measures would directly impact the war.
According to Ukrainian Focus, as of September 2024, the country’s wealthiest individuals included Rinat Akhmetov, Viktor Pinchuk, former President Petro Poroshenko, Igor Kolomoisky, and Konstantin Zhevago. Many of these figures have contributed significantly to Ukraine’s war effort, supplying drones, ammunition, transport, and medical equipment. Akhmetov alone has reportedly spent around $274 million on military support over the past three years.
Musk’s remarks sparked mixed reactions online. Some questioned whether targeting Ukraine’s business elite would pressure Kiev into negotiations, given the country's heavy reliance on Western funding. Others pointed out that Ukraine itself recently sanctioned several prominent businessmen, including Poroshenko, Kolomoisky, and Zhevago, indicating possible tensions between them and the government. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had previously called for blocking “billions that were earned by essentially selling out Ukraine, Ukrainian interests, Ukrainian security.”
Musk’s comments come amid increasing tensions between Ukraine and the United States. Following Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, where a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly became heated, a planned minerals deal was put on hold. Shortly afterward, the U.S. suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, now fear that Trump may impose sanctions on Ukraine. An unnamed official stated that concerns were growing over potential U.S. actions linking individuals in Zelensky’s inner circle to corruption, which could weaken Ukraine’s war effort and impact its European Union support. However, it remains unclear whether these potential sanctions would specifically target Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarchs.
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