The west is supplying more arms to Ukraine, believing the war would only end if the Ukrainians conquer the Russians. On the other hand, Russia is recruiting new soldiers hoping to coerce the Ukrainians to surrender someday. Both sides believe that the war would end if there is more fighting. 

However, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, on Monday proposed a new template that could end the war in Ukraine and end the continuous loss of lives and properties. He suggested another election in the annexed regions, where the people of the regions would decide which side they would go.

The world’s richest man said another election should be done in the annexed Ukrainian regions under the supervision of the United Nations. 

“Russia leaves if that is will of the people,” Musk tweeted. 

However, the most controversial part of Musk’s statement was when he said: “Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).”

The 51-year-old asked his followers to vote either in support of his template or against it. 

Musk missed history classes

Most commenters disagreed with Musk’s claim that Crimea was formally part of Russia. They said Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians fought against the Russians long before 1783, contrary to Musk’s claim. 

“It’s certainly sad that Russian propaganda works even on the brightest minds,” Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president replied. 

“Even the best of us can fall victim to misinformation. Elon Musk, how about I give you an exclusive briefing on true history of Crimea and Ukraine? We can discuss how Ukraine and Crimean Tatars fought together against the Russians long before 1783 and why we like Starlinks today,” Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States replied to Musk’s tweet.

Serhiy Prytula, a Ukrainian politician said Musk’s businesses had deprived him of attending history classes, and that he has no accurate information on the history of Ukraine. 

“Seems like you have missed a lot history lessons while concentrating on space and e-cars,” Serhiy Prytula said. “Your proposals sound much like Putin’s. Hope you did not mean it that way.” 

President Zelensky counters Musk with another poll

Soon after Elon Musk began the poll, Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, initiated another poll. 

“Which Elon Musk do you like more?” Zelensky asked. One who supports Ukraine or one who supports Russia?

As of Tuesday evening, 2,359,304 Twitter users have participated in the poll. For some, their choice was not among the two options put forward by president Zelensky. 

“The one who supports peace,” David Sacks replied to President Zelensky. 

The question of how many more deaths

Elon Musk, no doubt, has a good intention for calling for peace. He believes that the war would not end if concessions are not made. Musk said he was worried about how many more people would die before these concessions were made, especially by Ukraine. 

“This is highly likely to be the outcome in the end – just a question of how many die before then,” Musk said. 

He also mentioned the other possible scary outcomes of the war. 

“Also worth noting that a possible, albeit unlikely, outcome from this conflict is nuclear war,” Musk added. 

Unless concessions are made either by Ukraine or Russia, the war would linger for as much as possible. Even if it does stop soon without these concessions, there is a high possibility that it would only be a temporary pause and there would be a resumption at a later date. 

The outcome of Musk’s polls

The poll initiated by Elon Musk has come to an end. 2,748,378 participated in it. 40.9 percent of these agreed with Musk’s suggestion, while the majority of 59.1 percent said the territorial integrity of Ukraine should not be negotiated. But the question of how many more would die before the war ends remains unanswered.