VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hailed South African-born businessman Elon Musk as an "outstanding person" and businessman whose SpaceX company had become a major player in the space transportation industry. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev took to X earlier this month to laud Musk over that decision - which has been sharply criticised by Ukrainian politicians - as "the last adequate mind in North America". Putin, speaking at an economic forum in Russia's far east, did not refer to the Starlink incident. But when asked about the success of Musk's SpaceX company in launching rockets into space, he said:"As far as private business and Elon Musk is concerned... he is undoubtedly an outstanding person. "He (Musk) is an active and talented businessman and he is succeeding a lot, including with the support of the American state," added Putin.

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Persons: Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk, Musk, Dmitry Medvedev, laud Musk, Putin, Andrew Osborn, Gareth Jones Organizations: Tuesday, SpaceX, Elon, Reuters Locations: VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, U.S, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, North America, Moscow