Musk: Ukraine peace settlement requires concessions to Russia

US entrepreneur Elon Musk has said that a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine would require Western countries to make concessions to Russia, arguing that Moscow is unlikely to withdraw its troops completely.

In an interview with The Economist, Musk said he had long advocated a peaceful resolution and had previously argued that concessions to Russia were necessary for pragmatic reasons rather than out of support for Moscow.

Musk said he considered expectations that Russia would completely withdraw its forces to be unrealistic and urged a more pragmatic approach to the conflict. He also criticised diplomats who, in his view, insist that Russia must withdraw its troops while people continue to die on the front line.

According to Musk, Russia would not back down, and Ukraine would not regain the territories it has lost.

He argued that without concessions to Russia, the conflict could continue for years with further loss of life without achieving a resolution.

By Sabina Mammadli