Russia is planning to engage in discussions with Elon Musk regarding future Mars missions, according to Vladimir Putin's envoy for international cooperation. Although Musk has not confirmed these talks, the envoy expressed Russia's interest in enhancing collaboration with the United States on space initiatives.
Kirill Dmitriev, speaking at a business forum in Moscow, indicated that conversations with Musk about Mars exploration are anticipated soon, commending Musk for his contributions to advancing human capabilities.
These discussions would once again place Musk, a key adviser to Trump and the wealthiest individual globally, in a significant yet largely unchecked position within international politics. Musk has participated in White House discussions with global leaders since Trump's re-election and was reportedly in frequent contact with Putin before his current advisory role.
Musk's leadership of SpaceX and his control over the Starlink satellite network have increasingly positioned him as a pivotal figure in space exploration and global telecommunications. NASA has become heavily reliant on SpaceX for most of its launches, and there have been concerns from recently dismissed employees about Musk's growing influence over the agency. Additionally, Musk has wielded his influence in international telecoms to exert political power, such as restricting Ukraine's military use of Starlink during the conflict with Russia and having disputes with Poland's foreign minister over the technology.
Dmitriev, appointed by Putin as his special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, also mentioned that adversaries are attempting to undermine Trump's efforts to renew dialogue with Russia. His comments coincided with a call between Trump and Putin discussing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and the end of hostilities following Russia's invasion in 2022.
Dmitriev emphasized Russia's desire to collaborate with Musk to bolster the country's space agency, Roscosmos, and the state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. He noted ongoing communication with Roscosmos, Russian businesses, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.
In 2022, Russia announced plans to pursue its own Mars mission after the European Space Agency halted a joint project due to Russia's military actions in Ukraine.