Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, made a surprise appearance on a call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signaling Musk’s increasing involvement in Trump’s incoming administration. The call, which lasted about 25 minutes, was initiated to reassure Zelenskyy of U.S. support, though Trump did not disclose specifics on aid. Sources indicate Zelenskyy felt reassured after the call, despite concerns surrounding Trump’s stance on support for Ukraine.

According to Axios, which first reported the call, Musk was physically present with Trump and took part in the conversation at Trump’s invitation. Musk addressed Zelenskyy directly, affirming his continued support of Ukraine through his Starlink satellites, which have provided critical communication channels for Ukrainian forces since the Russian invasion began in 2022. Musk has previously supplied this service without cost but has expressed frustration over financial and political burdens associated with ongoing support.

A senior Ukrainian official confirmed Musk’s presence, stating, “He wasn’t on the line at first—Trump handed him the phone, and they were together somewhere.” The exchange highlights Musk’s elevated status within Trump’s circle, with the President-elect suggesting a future advisory role for Musk in his administration. Musk reportedly contributed over $110 million to Trump’s campaign, underscoring his investment in the President-elect’s success.

Trump’s critical stance on U.S. aid to Ukraine has sparked anxiety in Kyiv, given his previous statements suggesting he could broker a swift end to the war, potentially at the expense of Ukrainian interests. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Trump’s resolve and signaled readiness for negotiations should Trump seek a resolution favorable to Moscow.

This high-profile call hints at Musk’s potential influence over U.S.-Ukraine relations and broader foreign policy decisions in the upcoming administration. Musk’s unique ties to both Ukraine, through Starlink, and Russia, with whom he has reportedly been in regular contact, have raised security concerns in Washington due to his involvement in sensitive government contracts.

While Musk has pledged to streamline government spending under Trump’s leadership, his expanding role may face scrutiny amid fears over his connections and the implications for national and international security.