Russia seeks collaboration with Elon Musk for Mars

Russia plans to collaborate with Elon Musk on a mission to Mars. Officials believe there is a lot of potential for partnership with the United States in space exploration. Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy appointed by President Vladimir Putin, announced that talks with Musk are expected soon. He praised Musk for his work in advancing human achievement in space. Dmitriev hopes to strengthen Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, through this collaboration. While discussions about Mars are underway, the context involves Russia's ongoing tensions with Ukraine. On the same day, President Trump was expected to speak with Putin about a ceasefire in the war. Dmitriev expressed frustration about "enemies" trying to block dialogue between the two countries. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has voiced concerns over reported communications between Musk and Putin. He indicated that multiple conversations may warrant investigation due to their potential implications for U.S. security and NASA's operations. Despite these concerns, a SpaceX spokesperson called the claims about Musk's involvement misleading. Musk has been a significant supporter of Trump and has gained influence within the White House. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans for a Mars mission after Europe suspended a joint project due to the conflict in Ukraine.