Elon Musk tells Zelensky to go as Ukraine-US rift deepens

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave office, intensifying tensions between Kyiv and Washington as Ukraine questions the United States’ commitment to supporting its war against Russia.

“And so the slaughter continues,” Musk wrote on X on Wednesday, adding that it was “time for Zelensky to go”.

His remarks came amid a growing dispute over the use of satellite communications systems that Ukraine relies on for battlefield coordination and civilian communications. Kyiv has accused Washington of undermining its defence efforts by failing to provide timely warnings about incoming Russian missile strikes and introducing changes affecting its access to Musk’s satellite technology.

Zelensky had urged Musk to restore the Starlink service, developed by Musk’s SpaceX, which Ukraine says has been slowed down. Musk, however, argued that any disruption was the responsibility of the US government rather than his company.

He distinguished between Starlink, a civilian satellite communications system also used by Ukraine, and Starshield, which he said was controlled by the US government and used for battlefield communications. Musk maintained that Ukraine was not permitted to use Starlink for offensive military operations.

The public exchange highlights mounting uncertainty over Washington’s role in Ukraine’s defence as diplomatic disagreements deepen between the two countries.

The dispute follows Zelensky’s criticism of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a diesel-supply deal with Russia, which remains under heavy international sanctions. When asked whether he felt betrayed by the decision, the Ukrainian leader responded affirmatively.

Trump subsequently suggested that Ukraine needed a new president capable of reaching a deal to end the conflict.

“It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said on Saturday, responding to Zelensky’s criticism of the agreement.

Concerns have also emerged over intelligence-sharing arrangements between Washington and Kyiv. A senior Ukrainian official said the United States had recently threatened to stop providing intelligence about Russian missile launches, information Ukraine uses to help defend against incoming attacks.

Trump has denied the allegation.

The tensions are unfolding as the US president faces key midterm elections next month, with rising fuel prices becoming a major political issue. Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to pressure on fuel supplies and increasing prices at petrol stations.

Ukraine has relied heavily on Western military assistance, intelligence and communications technology since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Any reduction in that support could complicate Kyiv’s efforts to defend its territory and respond to Russian attacks.

Musk’s latest intervention adds another layer to the increasingly strained debate over Ukraine’s leadership, the future of US assistance and the prospects for a negotiated settlement.

With Washington and Kyiv publicly trading accusations, questions are growing over whether disagreements between the allies could weaken Ukraine’s position as the war continues.