Vladimir Putin's praise for Elon Musk with a jab: ‘Outstanding person as…’

 Russian President Vladimir Putin offered praise for Elon Musk, acknowledging him as an exceptional individual and a prominent figure in the business world. Putin commended Musk's SpaceX company for its significant role in the space transportation industry. Notably, this recognition followed recent events in which Elon Musk declined a Ukrainian request to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea's Sevastopol, citing concerns about involvement in a potential large-scale conflict.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had previously commended Musk for his decision, while Ukrainian politicians criticized him, with some dubbing him "the last reasonable mind in North America."

During an economic forum in Russia's far east, Vladimir Putin, without explicitly mentioning the Starlink incident, spoke about Elon Musk's accomplishments in the space sector. He emphasized Musk's status as an outstanding and globally recognized entrepreneur. Putin noted Musk's active and successful role in business, highlighting the support provided by the American government.

Additionally, Putin stated that Russia remained committed to its space program despite a recent setback in its lunar mission. The Luna-25 mission, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years, encountered failure on August 19, as the spacecraft lost control and crashed into the moon. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft later identified a new crater near the estimated impact point of Luna-25, attributing it to the mission's impact.

In summary, President Putin applauded Elon Musk's achievements while also expressing Russia's determination to continue its space endeavors despite recent challenges.