Kremlin Envoy Proposes $8 Billion 'Putin-Trump' Rail Tunnel Under Bering Strait

Kremlin Envoy Unveils Ambitious Bering Strait Tunnel Proposal

A Kremlin envoy has put forward a proposal for an $8 billion 'Putin-Trump' rail tunnel beneath the Bering Strait, aiming to forge a direct link between Russia and the United States. The initiative, suggested by Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy and head of Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, is envisioned as a symbol of unity and a catalyst for joint natural resource exploration.

Project Details and Proposed Construction

The proposed project outlines a 112-kilometer (70-mile) rail and cargo link designed to be completed in under eight years. Dmitriev indicated that the construction would be financed by Moscow and 'international partners.' Notably, he suggested that The Boring Company, owned by American entrepreneur Elon Musk, could undertake the construction. Dmitriev posited that the company's technology could significantly reduce the cost from traditional estimates, which have often exceeded $65 billion for such a venture.

Historical Context of Intercontinental Links

The concept of connecting Asia and North America across the Bering Strait is not new, with ideas circulating for at least 150 years. Historical proposals date back to the 19th century, including a rail link suggested in 1849 by William Gilpin, Colorado's first territorial governor. Other significant proposals include:

• A Franco-American syndicate's plan in 1906, authorized by Czar Nicholas II.
• Engineer Tung-Yen Lin's 'Intercontinental Peace Bridge' concept in 1958.
• A 2008 plan approved by then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for a railway to the Bering Strait area, with costs estimated between $10 billion and $12 billion for the tunnel itself, and $65 billion for the entire project.
• A 2014 proposal by Chinese engineers for a high-speed rail line from Beijing to Alaska, informally dubbed the 'China-Russia-Canada-America' route.

The Bering Strait itself is approximately 82 kilometers (51 miles) wide at its narrowest point, separating Russia's Chukotka region from Alaska. The Diomede Islands, one Russian and one American, are situated in the middle, just 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) apart.

Reactions to the Proposal

The proposal emerged following a phone conversation between President Putin and US President Donald Trump, where they reportedly agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine. When asked about the idea, US President Donald Trump described it as 'interesting.' However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, present during Trump's remarks, stated he was 'not happy' with the suggestion. Dmitriev also referenced a Cold War-era plan for a 'Kennedy-Khrushchev World Peace Bridge' over the strait, underscoring the long-standing vision of such a connection.