The Tesla CEO has come under fire for several days, after proposing a perceived pro-Russian peace plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Elon Musk is trying to weather the storm.

The CEO of Tesla  (TSLA)  has gone from hero to pariah in the war between Russia and Ukraine in a few days. 

When Moscow invaded Kyiv on February 24, the billionaire provided Starlink, the satellite internet access service offered by his aerospace company SpaceX. This gesture allowed Ukrainians to stay connected to the world and to tell their version of this conflict, thus avoiding Russian propaganda dominating the narrative.

The richest man in the world was seen as a savior on social networks by pro-Ukrainians and the West. 

But the billionaire made a huge mistake on October 4 in proposing a peace plan considered a capitulation to the Russians. 

Outrage

This peace plan intervenes at a time when the Russian armed forces have suffered symbolic defeats in various Ukrainian regions. 

Musk's peace plan has four points, but two points are controversial. The first is that Musk asked Ukraine to recognize that its region of Crimea, annexed in 2014 by Russia, is Russian territory. The tycoon also asked Ukraine to remain neutral in geopolitical affairs in the future. In other words, Kyiv must give up any aspiration to become a member of the European Union and a member of NATO.

Musk submitted this plan to the vote of Twitter users who overwhelmingly rejected it, thus inflicting on the billionaire a scathing disavowal. 

The plan was torn up by the Ukrainian authorities who did not hesitate to accuse him of treason. Musk for them has become pro-Russia. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrapped his criticism in a poll to caricature Musk by asking social media users if they preferred the Elon Musk who supports Ukraine or the Elon Musk who supports Russia.

"F--- off is my very diplomatic reply to you @elonmusk," commented Ukraine's Ambassador in Germany, Andrij Melnyk, in a tweet. 

But the serial entrepreneur responded to criticism and did not give in. He explained that his peace plan is simply borrowed from reality. He warned that without peace it is possible that the conflict becomes a total war with the possibility that it turns into a nuclear war with heavy consequences not only for Ukraine but also for the rest of the world. 

He therefore believes that the world cannot take such a big risk.

"I still very much support Ukraine, but am convinced that massive escalation of the war will cause great harm to Ukraine and possibly the world," Musk responded to President Zelensky's criticism.

He voiced similar concerns to Twitter users horrified by his peace plan.

"Russia is doing partial mobilization," the serial entrepreneur posted. "They go to full war mobilization if Crimea is at risk. Death on both sides will be devastating."

He added that: "Russia has >3 times population of Ukraine, so victory for Ukraine is unlikely in total war. If you care about the people of Ukraine, seek peace."