The father of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Errol Musk, revealed he recently held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the encounter as “brief but memorable.” The meeting, which lasted over an hour and involved several other individuals, adds another layer to the elder Musk’s increasingly public engagements within Russia, and raises questions about the motivations behind these interactions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“Although it was short, I remember it well,” the 79-year-old Errol Musk told the state-run news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday. He recalled Putin shaking his hand and offering a simple greeting: “Welcome to Russia.” While Musk did not disclose the specific date or circumstances surrounding the meeting, his visit comes as Russia continues to navigate international sanctions and diplomatic isolation following its invasion of Ukraine.
A Two-Week Research Trip to Russia
Errol Musk’s trip to Russia, which began earlier this week, is reportedly focused on research projects with Russian scientists. According to a statement from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the organization facilitating the visit, Musk is scheduled to tour a high-tech plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region, participate in a venture capital forum in Kazan, and visit an Orthodox Church in Sergiyev Posad, a town outside of Moscow. This itinerary suggests a focus on technological innovation and potential investment opportunities within Russia.
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, described as a pro-Kremlin organization, arranged the trip, highlighting the deliberate nature of Musk’s engagement with Russian entities. This arrangement underscores the potential for the visit to serve as a platform for fostering ties between Western and Russian interests, despite the current political climate.
Past Expressions of Admiration for Putin
This represents not the first time Errol Musk has publicly expressed admiration for the Russian leader. In April 2025, he told The Moscow Times that his family was “in awe” of Putin. He further elaborated on his positive view of Putin in an October interview with Russia’s state-run news agency TASS, calling him a “real man.” These statements have drawn scrutiny, particularly given the strained relationship between Russia and many Western nations.
More recently, Musk attended a far-right forum in Moscow in June, hosted by the Tsargrad Institute, a think tank founded by Konstantin Malofeyev and directed by Alexander Dugin. The Moscow Times reported that the forum brought together a diverse group of figures, including Alex Jones and George Galloway, and focused on themes of national identity and geopolitical realignment.
A Complicated Family Dynamic
Errol Musk’s personal life has likewise been subject to public attention. A significant rift developed between him and his son, Elon Musk, after Errol had a child in 2017 with a stepdaughter decades his junior. While the relationship was strained for a period, Errol Musk has indicated that it has since improved. This personal history, while separate from his current activities in Russia, adds another dimension to his public persona.
Implications and Future Engagements
Errol Musk’s continued engagement with Russia, culminating in a meeting with President Putin, raises questions about the motivations behind these interactions. While he frames the trip as a research-focused endeavor, his past statements and the involvement of pro-Kremlin organizations suggest a more complex dynamic. The timing of the visit, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, is particularly noteworthy.
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has indicated that Musk’s itinerary includes visits to key industrial and technological centers, suggesting a potential interest in investment opportunities. Whether these engagements will translate into concrete projects remains to be seen. Musk is expected to continue his tour of Russia over the next week, with planned visits to the Nizhny Novgorod region and Kazan. Further details regarding potential collaborations or investment plans are anticipated following these visits.
As Russia seeks to navigate international sanctions and forge new economic partnerships, figures like Errol Musk may play a role in bridging the gap between Western and Russian interests. However, such engagements are likely to remain under scrutiny, particularly given the current geopolitical landscape.
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