**Trump Connects Zelenskyy with Elon Musk During Congratulatory Call**

KYIV, Ukraine – In a revealing moment, President-elect Donald Trump passed his phone to billionaire Elon Musk during a congratulatory call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This development was confirmed by a Ukrainian official who is directly informed about the call but was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

During the conversation, which took place on Wednesday, Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude toward Musk for providing Ukraine with access to the Starlink satellite internet platform. However, Musk was not on the call for its entirety, according to the official. The interaction underscored Musk’s significant influence within Trump’s inner circle, with Trump reportedly considering a formal role for Musk in his administration focused on government efficiency. This has raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, given SpaceX's profitable government contracts.

As Trump prepares to assume the presidency on January 20, his communications with Zelenskyy are under scrutiny, especially given his proposed shift in U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its struggle against Russia's invasion that began nearly three years ago. Trump has suggested that a swift end to the war could involve Kyiv ceding some territory to Moscow, a condition that Zelenskyy firmly opposes.

Notably, it was Trump who initially authorized the shipment of weapons to Ukraine in 2017, including the critical Javelin anti-tank missiles used during the full-scale invasion of 2022. In contrast, the Biden administration has provided tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Ukraine, a stance that both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have criticized, advocating instead for focusing on domestic priorities.

Trump has highlighted his friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as "pretty smart" for his actions regarding Ukraine. Meanwhile, he has referred to Zelenskyy as "the greatest salesman on earth" for successfully securing U.S. aid.

The call with Zelenskyy is among many that Trump has held with world leaders, business magnates, and political figures from his Florida residence and private club, following his election victory. The presence of Musk on the call was first reported by Axios.