Putin Praises Elon Musk, Calls Him a Visionary Like Soviet Space Hero Korolev

Moscow, April 17

Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again praised Elon Musk, calling him a visionary with big dreams like those of famous Soviet rocket engineer Sergei Korolev.

While speaking to students at Bauman University in Moscow on Wednesday, Putin said Musk is one of those rare people who are deeply focused on a big idea. He compared Musk’s dream of going to Mars with the early Soviet dreams of space travel.

“There’s a man, Musk, who lives in the U.S. and is crazy about Mars,” Putin told the students. “People like him don’t come around often. Even if their ideas sound unbelievable now, many of them come true over time,” he added.

Putin compared Musk to Korolev, who led the Soviet space program and helped launch Sputnik, the world’s first satellite, and Vostok 1, which carried Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961.

This praise also reflects the growing friendship between Russia and the U.S. under President Donald Trump, who has made Musk a top advisor.

Putin had earlier spoken highly of Musk during an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, saying, “There’s no stopping Elon Musk. He will do what he wants.” Putin also mentioned Neuralink, Musk’s brain chip project, and said it’s important to talk with him because his work could change the future of AI and human development.

At the 2023 Eastern Economic Forum, Putin had already called Musk “an extraordinary person” and “a talented businessman” respected around the world.

Meanwhile, Musk continues to be involved in global issues. He recently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying Ukraine was trying to create a “forever war” and had gone “too far” in the ongoing conflict.