Kyiv’s reaction to its acquisition of Twitter also contrasted sharply with Moscow’s. (Representative)
Kyiv:
A senior Ukrainian official on Saturday expressed skepticism about the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, whose ties with Kyiv have been uncertain since the billionaire suggested in early October that Ukraine should give up occupied lands for peace. should leave.
Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist”, has expressed his desire to shake up Twitter’s content moderation, and tweeted that the “bird went free” after completing the purchase.
Ukraine’s presidential aide Mykhailo Podolik tweeted on Saturday: “Has the bird really found its freedom, or has it just moved to a new cage?”
He pointed to the “unusual moderation” of Musk’s site. Musk tweeted on Friday that Twitter would create a content moderation council “with vastly diverse perspectives.”
The Tesla boss drew fury from Kyiv and praise from Moscow this month when he posted a Twitter poll proposing Ukraine to permanently cede Crimea to Russia, that the United Kingdom to determine the fate of Russian-controlled territory. New referendums will be held under the auspices of the nation, and Ukraine agrees to neutrality.
Kyiv’s reaction to its acquisition of Twitter also contrasted sharply with that of Moscow, where Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, congratulated Musk on Friday.
“Good luck (Elon Musk) on overcoming political bias and ideological dictatorship on Twitter. And leave Starlink in Ukraine business,” Medvedev wrote, referring to thousands of satellite-connected Internet devices. Musk’s company SpaceX operates in Ukraine.
Starlink is an important communication tool for Ukraine’s armed forces, as regular mobile and Internet connections are either missing or unsecured in many frontline areas.
Reports emerged in the US media in mid-October that SpaceX may begin seeking payment from the US government for Starlink services in Ukraine, which Musk says will cost the company $100 million by the end of 2022.
Musk responded to reports that SpaceX had withdrawn the request.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)