It is appeasement. It is also faux sophistication. An actual sophisticated analysis would take into account the reasons Putin invaded: He was not challenged in

It is appeasement. It is also faux sophistication. An actual sophisticated analysis would take into account the reasons Putin invaded: He was not challenged in an effective way previously. He has tried nuclear blackmail before. He has reasons to think useful idiots believe his stories about wonder-weapons. Etc. A sophisticated analysis would project what giving Putin his "winnings" would do subsequently: His stated goal is to renew influence over what had been the Soviet Bloc. That means Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and other free and democratic nations he feels entitled to control. Elon is at least as wrong as he looks to be. So are his fanbois. Everyone else knows Elon is burning his brand image at a furious pace.