Elon Musk, a CEO with global views, is actively interested in geopolitical issues. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has watched the development of the war, which has already caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced many millions of people.

Since March, NATO and the EU have taken a firm stand and imposed economic sanctions against Moscow, which retaliated. After the EU promised to cut gas imports from Russia by two-thirds within a year, Vladimir Putin ordered a 40 percent cut in supplies, triggering an energy crisis.

Under pressure, the EU eased financial and technological sanctions, but the Russian president continues to use energy as a weapon. EU member states launched energy saving and austerity programs on the eve of winter. An emergency meeting of energy ministers convened by the Czech Republic, which presides over the EU, will soon take place.

Musk: “Closing the nuclear power plant is madness”

The world’s richest man is bringing back to the fore a controversial solution that he believes is the most realistic way to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian oil and gas supplies.

“Countries should increase the introduction of nuclear power plants. Shutting them down is national security insanity and bad for the environment,” he tweeted.

In fact, he also said in an interview in March that “it’s crazy to close nuclear power plants now, especially in countries that don’t have natural disasters,” noting that Germany should reopen them. And he, as the founder of Tesla and others in the use and production of renewable and “clean” energy, can in no way be accused of anti-environmental views.

Nuclear energy is one of the measures recommended by the EU and the International Energy Agency in the 10-step plan to reduce dependence on supplies from Russia. But European environmentalists and countries such as Austria and Luxembourg oppose nuclear power, which they do not consider “green”.

Nuclear power plants produce carbon-free electricity, but the exposure to radioactive waste and the risks of accidents can be high, critics say.

Of particular concern is the context in which Musk’s proposed solution appears. One is reminded of the threat of a Chernobyl-like accident at the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, which is currently occupied by the Russians. It is reported that the Ukrainians continue to operate the plant under the threat of Russian weapons.

Sources: TheStreet, Fortune.