Russian One-Sided Claims Published As Is
Sudden Reversal After Leading Support Including Starlink Provision
Ukraine Strongly Protests... "Get Lost" Fierce Criticism
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is sparking international controversy by advocating a peace mediation plan for Ukraine that reflects Russia's unilateral claims. At the beginning of the war, he actively supported Ukraine by providing SpaceX's satellite communication network, Starlink service, but suddenly sided with Russia's position, drawing attention to the background of this shift.
The Ukrainian side, on the other hand, emphasized that their forces have broken through the defensive line in the southern Kherson region occupied by Russia, indicating that the war situation is becoming favorable.
According to CNBC on the 3rd (local time), Musk posted on his Twitter account, "I propose a peace mediation plan to end the Ukraine war and ask for opinions," sharing the mediation plan. The plan included ▲reholding a referendum under UN supervision in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia that Russia declared annexed ▲Ukraine's transition to permanent neutrality ▲Ukraine's renunciation of sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula.
The content matched the peace negotiation conditions that Russia had unilaterally insisted on to Ukraine and the international community, causing controversy. In particular, regarding the Crimean Peninsula forcibly annexed by Russia in 2014, Musk posted Russia's claim verbatim, stating, "Since 1783, Crimea has been part of Russia, and it was a mistake by former Soviet leader Khrushchev to transfer administrative control to Ukraine."
The Ukrainian side immediately reacted against the content. Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, strongly opposed it by commenting on the tweet, "Get lost. This is the most diplomatic response to you."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also strongly opposed by posting a poll on his Twitter account asking, "Which Musk do you prefer: the one supporting Ukraine or the one supporting Russia?" In the poll with about 400,000 participants, over 90% responded that they preferred the Musk supporting Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine's opposition, Musk warned, "In the end, it is highly likely to go according to my mediation plan. Ukraine will never win," adding, "If things go wrong, a nuclear war could break out."
Inside and outside the United States, attention is focused on the background of Musk, who had led Ukraine support policies, suddenly siding with Russia. Previously, at Ukraine's request, SpaceX actively provided the satellite internet service 'Starlink.' Starlink has become a major communication means for Ukraine, whose communication networks were destroyed by the war, and has been evaluated as a foundation for counterattacks, highlighting Musk as a heroic figure.
On the 3rd (local time), Ukrainian soldiers who succeeded in recapturing Lyman, a key stronghold city in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, are resting while sitting on the wreckage of Russian military vehicles. On the same day, the Ukrainian military also broke through the Russian defense line in southern Kherson Oblast and announced the recapture of cities near the capital, Kherson. Lyman (Ukraine) = AP·Yonhap News Photo by AP
Meanwhile, Ukraine emphasized that its military has broken through the main defensive line in the southern Kherson region occupied by Russia and that the war situation is changing as they are about to recapture Kherson.
In a video speech released the previous night, President Zelensky declared, "The Arkhanhelske and Myroliubivka areas of Kherson, which Russia had declared annexed, have been recaptured. We will proceed to fully restore Kherson." These areas are adjacent to Kherson city, the capital of Kherson province, where Russia's main defensive lines are located.
The Russian military also acknowledged that the defensive line in the Kherson area is precarious. Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, said at a press briefing, "Ukrainian forces, led by superior tank units, have penetrated deep into our defensive lines," but emphasized, "However, our troops are counterattacking from prepared defensive positions, inflicting heavy damage on Ukrainian forces."
Ole Zdanov, a Ukrainian military expert, pointed out, "The Russian military has already lost its offensive capability and will lose its defensive capability today or tomorrow," adding, "Our forces have cut off Russian supply routes over the past month, and the Russian military is currently operating with minimal supplies."
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