Elon Musk claims he’s had face-to-face chat with Vladimir Putin
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Elon Musk made headlines this week for his four-step plan to secure peace in Ukraine, with world leaders and commentators accusing him of seemingly siding with Russia.
And now the Tesla tycoon has added fuel to the fire after confirming he spoke with Vladimir Putin last year.
Asked by a Twitter user whether he had spoken to the Russian despot in person, Musk responded: "We talked via videoconference last year."
READ MORE: China promises Elon Musk he'll be 'taught a lesson' over Ukraine peace plans
He didn't specify what he and the dictator had discussed or when last year they had held their meeting, and fans were eager to know more.
One joked: "Helped stop the war?"
Meanwhile another prodded: "Maybe you'll talk to @ZelenskyyUa also?"
Others recalled a Tweet by the billionaire back in March of this year which saw him challenge Putin to a fight for control of Ukraine – with followers asking whether he planned to follow through.
In the viral post he said: "I hereby challenge [Vladimir Putin] to single combat.
"Stakes are [Ukraine]."
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This isn't the first time the world's richest man has landed in hot water this week.
Musk Tweeted his four conditions for peace in Ukraine on Monday, writing: "Ukraine-Russia Peace: Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.
"Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).
"Water supply to Crimea assured.
"Ukraine remains neutral."
He added his prediction was "highly likely to be the outcome in the end – just a question of how many die before then."
And when the post received widespread backlash he doubled down on his peace-making plans, writing: "Let’s try this then: the will of the people who live in the Donbas & Crimea should decide whether they’re part of Russia or Ukraine," alongside a poll.
But his attempts at diplomacy didn't go down well after Vladimir Putin praised the billionaire for his "positive comments" on the invasion, prompting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to virtually intervene.
The Ukrainian leader slammed the poll and put out his own tweet asking: “Which @elonmusk do you like more?”, suggesting the options "One who supports Russia", or "One that supports Ukraine".
Unsurprisingly, a Ukraine-supporting Musk came out victorious with 79% of the votes.
Even the editor-in-chief of state-backed Chinese media company The Global Times, Hu Xijin, threatened Musk.
"Elon Musk has released his personality too much, and he believes too much in the US and West’s 'freedom of speech,'" Hu wrote on Twitter.
"He will be taught a lesson."
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