Russia doesn't pay people for that sort of thing, especially not a person like Musk. Instead they extort. Possibly over rare materials.
Anyway I don't think Russia was part of Musks takeover of twitter, that stemmed from Musks own arrogant stupidity, but they certainly did become one afterwards.
I was going to edit my comment to include blackmail / kompromat as well, which in the end I do find to be more likely.
Russia doesn't pay people for that sort of thing, especially not a person like Musk. Instead they extort. Possibly over rare materials.
Anyway I don't think Russia was part of Musks takeover of twitter, that stemmed from Musks own arrogant stupidity, but they certainly did become one afterwards.
I was going to edit my comment to include blackmail / kompromat as well, which in the end I do find to be more likely.
I think Putin just flattered Musk and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.