Musk Advocates for Sanctions Against Ukrainian Oligarchs
The billionaire proposes that this action might compel Kiev to initiate a peace process. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Elon Musk has proposed that sanctioning Ukraine’s top ten oligarchs could expedite a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia. This unusual suggestion was made in a post on X over the weekend.
In his capacity as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk made the comments while engaging in a conversation about US financial support to Ukraine. He has voiced criticism regarding US assistance to Kiev and generally promotes a reduction in federal spending on foreign aid.
“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,” Musk stated in response to a post by Senator Mike Lee, who urged the US to stop financial aid to Ukraine. He did not provide further details on how such sanctions would influence the conflict.
As reported by Ukrainian Focus, Rinat Akhmetov, owner of the SCM Group, is primarily recognized as Ukraine's wealthiest individual as of September 2024. Other notable billionaires include Viktor Pinchuk, who owns the Interpipe Group, former President Petro Poroshenko, Igor Kolomoisky of Dneprazot, and Konstantin Zhevago of Ferrexpo.
Many of these oligarchs have materially supported Ukraine's military efforts. Both Poroshenko and Pinchuk are acknowledged for supplying drones and other military equipment to the armed forces, while Akhmetov is reportedly funding a project that supplies ammunition, transport, medical equipment, and drones to the military, contributing roughly $274 million to the war effort over the past three years.
Musk’s suggestion elicited a variety of responses online. Some commentators doubted that sanctioning Ukraine's elite would effectively push Kiev toward negotiations, considering the country's heavy dependence on Western financial aid. Others noted that just last month, Kiev imposed sanctions on several high-profile businessmen, including Poroshenko, Kolomoisky, and Zhevago, indicating a division between these individuals and the current regime. Although no specific reasons for the sanctions were disclosed, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had previously called for “blocking billions that were earned by essentially selling out Ukraine, Ukrainian interests, Ukrainian security” just one day prior to the sanctions being enacted.
Musk’s comments surfaced amid increasing tensions between Kiev and Washington, particularly following Zelensky’s recent visit to the US. During this visit, a meeting he had with President Donald Trump at the White House reportedly became contentious, leading to the postponement of a planned minerals deal. Shortly thereafter, the US suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, are now apprehensive that Trump may impose sanctions on Ukraine as a result of the Ukrainian leader's recent visit. An unnamed official noted, “All politicians in this country were discussing potential sanctions from the US side… A lot of people were very nervous, and the president was very nervous.” The official went on to mention that Washington might link individuals within Zelensky’s inner circle to corruption in order to impose sanctions, which could undermine Ukraine’s war efforts and jeopardize its support from the EU, although the official did not clarify if the sanctions would involve Ukrainian oligarchs.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
In his capacity as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk made the comments while engaging in a conversation about US financial support to Ukraine. He has voiced criticism regarding US assistance to Kiev and generally promotes a reduction in federal spending on foreign aid.
“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,” Musk stated in response to a post by Senator Mike Lee, who urged the US to stop financial aid to Ukraine. He did not provide further details on how such sanctions would influence the conflict.
As reported by Ukrainian Focus, Rinat Akhmetov, owner of the SCM Group, is primarily recognized as Ukraine's wealthiest individual as of September 2024. Other notable billionaires include Viktor Pinchuk, who owns the Interpipe Group, former President Petro Poroshenko, Igor Kolomoisky of Dneprazot, and Konstantin Zhevago of Ferrexpo.
Many of these oligarchs have materially supported Ukraine's military efforts. Both Poroshenko and Pinchuk are acknowledged for supplying drones and other military equipment to the armed forces, while Akhmetov is reportedly funding a project that supplies ammunition, transport, medical equipment, and drones to the military, contributing roughly $274 million to the war effort over the past three years.
Musk’s suggestion elicited a variety of responses online. Some commentators doubted that sanctioning Ukraine's elite would effectively push Kiev toward negotiations, considering the country's heavy dependence on Western financial aid. Others noted that just last month, Kiev imposed sanctions on several high-profile businessmen, including Poroshenko, Kolomoisky, and Zhevago, indicating a division between these individuals and the current regime. Although no specific reasons for the sanctions were disclosed, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had previously called for “blocking billions that were earned by essentially selling out Ukraine, Ukrainian interests, Ukrainian security” just one day prior to the sanctions being enacted.
Musk’s comments surfaced amid increasing tensions between Kiev and Washington, particularly following Zelensky’s recent visit to the US. During this visit, a meeting he had with President Donald Trump at the White House reportedly became contentious, leading to the postponement of a planned minerals deal. Shortly thereafter, the US suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, are now apprehensive that Trump may impose sanctions on Ukraine as a result of the Ukrainian leader's recent visit. An unnamed official noted, “All politicians in this country were discussing potential sanctions from the US side… A lot of people were very nervous, and the president was very nervous.” The official went on to mention that Washington might link individuals within Zelensky’s inner circle to corruption in order to impose sanctions, which could undermine Ukraine’s war efforts and jeopardize its support from the EU, although the official did not clarify if the sanctions would involve Ukrainian oligarchs.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
