Kumar Bahukhandi
Russia offers political asylum to Elon Musk-Photo-Reuters
Dmitry Novikov, the first deputy chairman of the Russian Parliament’s (Duma) International Affairs Committee, told Russia’s state news agency TASS that if Musk wants, Russia can consider granting him asylum. Novikov said, ‘Musk’s game is completely different, he will not need any political asylum, but if he does, Russia can definitely grant him asylum.’
The tension between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is now turning into a political confrontation. Meanwhile, a senior Russian MP has offered Musk ‘political asylum’ in Russia. This move is reminiscent of the high-profile security provided by the Kremlin in the past.
Novikov said, ‘Musk’s game is completely different, he will not need any political asylum, but if he does, Russia can definitely grant him asylum.’ In this statement, he also referred to the asylum given to Edward Snowden.
Elon Musk in controversies
This comment has come at a time when there is turmoil in US politics. Trump’s former advisor Steve Bannon has called Musk an ‘illegal immigrant’ and demanded his deportation and seizure of SpaceX. Musk’s recent threat to shut down his Dragon spacecraft (which is the link between NASA and the ISS) has raised concerns about US national security, which has intensified the demand for government intervention.
Russia called it an internal matter of America
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov distanced Russia from this dispute and said, ‘This is an internal matter of America, and we will not interfere in it.’ But Russia’s history says something else. Apart from Edward Snowden, Russia has previously sheltered many Western critics like British blogger Graham Phillips.
Once close to each other, now there is a rift in the relationship
The rift in Trump-Musk relations has created a stir in Washington. The relationship of the two, who were once considered close to each other, deteriorated when Musk stood against Trump’s spending bill. In response, Trump attacked Musk, saying that Musk has ‘lost his mind’ and indicated that he could review SpaceX’s contracts with the government.
Later Trump softened his stance a bit and said, ‘I just wish him all the best’, but the threat is still not over. At the same time, Musk also calmed his tone and withdrew the threat to destroy the NASA mission
