Elon Musk at conference in France, 2023. (Reuters, Gonzalo Fuentes photo) 1228 TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Russian President Vladimir Putin asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to disable Starlink internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平), according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Friday (Oct. 25). The report revealed that Musk has been in regular communication with Putin since 2022, discussing topics ranging from business to geopolitics. A former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter said the request came last year as Russia-China relations deepened and Moscow became more dependent on Beijing for trade and sanctions evasion. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the report as “false information,” while Musk has not responded to requests for comment. Starlink has not received authorization to provide internet service in Taiwan, which restricts foreign satellite operators. On Starlink’s service map, Taiwan is labeled as “coming soon.” In February, US Congress members expressed concerns that SpaceX’s approach to Taiwan could jeopardize its government contracts. Mike Gallagher, chair of the House China Select Committee, wrote to Musk, stating, “I understand SpaceX is possibly withholding broadband internet services in and around Taiwan — possibly in breach of SpaceX’s contractual obligations with the US government." The report emerges amid the lead-up to the US presidential election, where Musk has become the most high-profile supporter of Donald Trump’s campaign. Officials pointed out that Musk’s influence spans beyond politics, extending through his social media platform X and SpaceX, which has secured substantial government contracts and access to classified US intelligence. According to the Wall Street Journal, "While the US and its allies have isolated Putin in recent years, Musk’s dialogue could signal re-engagement with the Russian leader and reinforce Trump’s expressed desire to cut a deal over major fault lines, such as the war in Ukraine.” The report added that Musk’s contacts with Putin raise potential national security concerns within the current administration, given Putin’s role as one of America’s chief adversaries.