Who Is Nailya Asker-zade? Pro-Putin TV Presenter Spotted With Elon Musk

Nailya Asker-zade, a sanctioned pro-Kremlin state TV presenter, made headlines when she was photographed with Elon Musk over the weekend.

While attending Sunday's World Cup final between France and Argentina in Qatar, the Tesla CEO caused a stir after he was spotted taking a selfie with Asker-zade, a propagandist for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The 35-year-old TV presenter and journalist, who is of Azerbaijani descent, was seen asking Musk for a picture, which she later uploaded on social media.

"Argentina beat France on penalties in the World Cup final," she wrote in a caption on her Telegram channel. "I agree with Elon Musk's assessment of the match: 'A duel in the desert. A better game could not have been wished for.' I saw how he shared his emotions about what is happening on the field on his Twitter."

"I also have a lot of vivid emotions - I'll tell you soon," Asker-zade said.

The influential propagandist, who works for the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), was sanctioned by the U.K. and Canada after Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine last February.

Asker-zade has repeatedly voiced support for the Russian president and has accused the West of attacking Russia during the war.

In June 2021, the state TV presenter was chosen to host Putin's annual televised political event, "Direct Line With Vladimir Putin," which involves members of the public.

She won "best interviewer" during the TEFI Russian TV awards ceremony in 2018. Asker-zade interviews Russian billionaires, ministers, heads of state corporations, entrepreneurs, owners of factories and shopping centers, and businessmen.

She is widely believed to be in a long-term relationship with Russian oligarch Andrei Kostin, chairman of VTB Bank, which has also been sanctioned by the West.

The U.K., in announcing the sanctions it had imposed on Asker-zade in May, said she is associated with two entities, VGTRK and Kostin, "both of which is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity."

In 2019, a Russian organization led by opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Anti-Corruption Foundation, said it had uncovered Asker-zade's ties to Kostin, who is known for his support of the Kremlin's policies.

The foundation suggested at the time that Asker-zade is able to use a business jet and yacht worth tens of millions of dollars because of her relationship with Kostin.

"The most forbidden topic [in Russia] is the relationship between Putin's friend-state banker Andrei Kostin and TV presenter Nailya Asker-zade," the Anti-Corruption Foundation said.

In October, Musk was criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he tweeted a four-point plan to end the war in which Crimea would be ceded by Ukraine to Russia.

The billionaire tweeted his proposal as a poll, asking his followers to vote yes or no in response.

Zelensky, in response, posted his own Twitter poll, which asked: Which Elon Musk do you like more? One who supports Ukraine or one who supports Russia?

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment.

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