Russia to discuss prospects for cooperation in space sector with Musk: Envoy

ISTANBUL

A Russian envoy on Tuesday said that his country will discuss prospects for cooperation in the space sector with tech billionaire Elon Musk, as Moscow and Washington move to normalize relations.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 34th congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), Kirill Dmitriev, Moscow’s special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, said that he discussed with Dmitry Bakanov, the head of the country's space agency Roscosmos, the idea of working with the Musk.

“Our idea of working together with Musk is not just an idea about Mars, it is the presence of very powerful competencies in Roscosmos and Rosatom that could help, including in the flight to Mars, make it more efficient and safe,” Dmitriev further said.

In response to a related question, he also said that Russia’s discussions with Musk will occur “in the near future.”

“We believe that Musk is a unique leader who is focused on moving humanity forward together,” he added.

In February, Russian and US officials met in the Saudi capital Riyadh, their first high-level talks since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, to lay the groundwork for peace talks and improve bilateral relations.