Putin Praises Elon Musk, Compares Him to Soviet Space Pioneer Korolev
Date: 17-apr-2025
On LEFT: By Duma.gov.ru, CC BY 4.0, Link On Right: By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/54320797642/, Public Domain, Link
Russian President calls Musk a rare mind as he addresses students in Moscow
April 17, 2025 — In a surprising and complimentary remark during a student interaction at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised tech entrepreneur Elon Musk as an “outstanding” individual with a rare visionary mindset, drawing a direct comparison between the SpaceX founder and Soviet rocket engineer Sergei Korolev.
“You know, there’s a man — he lives in the States — Musk, who, you could say, raves about Mars,” Putin told the students. “These are exceptional people. There were people like that in our country too — Korolev and others.”
Recognition from an unexpected voice
The comparison carries weight in Russia, where Sergei Korolev is revered as the father of the Soviet space program. Korolev was instrumental in launching Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, and sending Yuri Gagarin into space. To liken Musk to such a national hero signals a rare moment of praise for a Western figure from Putin, especially amidst tense geopolitical relations.
- Event: Visit to Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Date: April 16, 2025
- Key Quote: "Musk raves about Mars... exceptional people like Korolev."
A legacy of ambition
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has long envisioned colonizing Mars as humanity's next great leap. His ambitious Starship program and frequent public statements on multi-planetary life have made him a polarizing but highly influential figure in global technology and aerospace.
Also Read
Putin's remarks acknowledged not just Musk’s technical achievements but his willingness to pursue bold, seemingly impossible goals. “Such people can seem eccentric at first,” he added, “but they often change the world.”
Not the first time
This isn’t the first time Putin has spoken highly of Musk. In previous interviews, he referred to Musk as “an outstanding person” and credited him for advancing the world’s space capabilities. The two have never met publicly, but Musk has also expressed interest in engaging with Russian officials regarding global space collaboration.
Global admiration, despite divisions
Amid political friction between the U.S. and Russia, this unexpected praise underscores how Musk’s work in space exploration transcends borders. While relations between governments may remain tense, appreciation for scientific and technological achievement appears to unite even unlikely admirers.
💬 Leave a Comment
📝 Recent Comments
No comments yet! Be the first one to comment.
🔄 Read More
⬅ Previous: Planet K2-18b, 700 Trillion Miles Away, Shows Signs of Life: Cambridge Scientists Detect Promising Atmospheric Clues
Date: 17-Apr-2025
Scientists at Cambridge University have identified possible signs of life on K2-18b, a distant exoplanet 124 light-years from Earth, through atmospheric compounds linked to biological activity.
Next: Indian Student Sues Trump Administration Over Deportation Threat Under New U.S. Immigration Policy ➡
Date: 17-Apr-2025
An Indian student has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging potential deportation under the Trump administration’s new immigration policies affecting international students.
