I sincerely doubt economic principles where ever a concern [1].
I remember many rumours of Elon Musk in Moscow at the founding of SpaceX with former Pentagon people? Lots of other reports on military considerations of SpaceX. Hard to verify [2][3].
You're mixing up stories. Elon was in Moscow prior to founding SpaceX as he was attempting to purchase an ICBM to refurbish into a rocket to send a terrarium to Mars.
He settled on founding SpaceX on the flight back because after the oligarchs lead him around a bunch with no intention of actually negotiating a sale, they straight up spat at him.
He settled on founding SpaceX on the flight back because after the oligarchs lead him around a bunch with no intention of actually negotiating a sale, they straight up spat at him.