Elon Musk is a 'real genius', Putin says after satellite talks with SpaceX boss

The remarks came during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, during which Putin discussed Russia's own satellite internet project Rassvet, which provides internet connections to people from satellites.

"He's a genius, a real genius," Putin said of Musk, according to a translation of his remarks by the BBC. "We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr. Musk."

Putin added that it was important for Russia to be in contact with Musk so Rassvet and Starlink satellites do not "interfere with each other in orbit".

Starlink has launched roughly 13,000 of its satellites, according to the company. By contrast there are only a couple of dozen Rassvet satellites currently in orbit, according to online satellite trackers.

"Russia maintains close contacts with the US on space, including with Elon Musk," the embassy wrote.

Putin's comments about Rassvet and Starlink were made as the US and Russia appear to be growing closer, even as it approaches five years since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine relied on Starlink internet in its efforts to keep Russia's forces at bay. But its military last week suddenly suffered Starlink connectivity problems, something Musk has admitted SpaceX did intentionally.

US President Donald Trump earlier this month said he'd struck a deal with Russia to import diesel in an effort to lower gas prices that have skyrocketed due to the US war with Iran.

Not long after, a US citizen was released from Russian custody, with US envoy Steve Witkoff referring to Putin as a "humanitarian".

Musk was born in South Africa and then immigrated to Canada before settling in the US. All of his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, are based in America, with most operating out of California and Texas.

The billionaire, and off and on again trillionaire, has been one of the biggest political allies and financiers of Trump and other Republican US politicians.