Ever imagined a tunnel connecting Russia's Chukotka to Alaska under the Bering Strait? 🚆💭 Last week, Kirill Dmitriev–President Putin's investment envoy–dropped a bombshell idea: build the "Putin-Trump" rail tunnel, spanning 112 km, at an estimated $8 billion. Money from Moscow and international partners, plus maybe backing from a U.S. tunneling firm. Crazy or genius? 🤔
President Trump's take? "That's an interesting one," he told reporters at the White House, adding "We'll have to think about that." Meanwhile, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy–on a mission to end the conflict with Russia–was blunt: "I'm not happy with it."
Why the hype? The Bering Strait is just 82 km at its narrowest, but building a tunnel under the sea (yes, a passage bored through the seabed!) means tackling icy waters, shifting earth, and polar weather. Experts estimate up to eight years of work. It's like India's Golden Quadrilateral on steroids–or ASEAN's dream rail network, but with ice and polar bears. 🌨️🐻
History buffs point out it's not a brand-new fantasy–ideas to bridge the Bering date back 150 years. But making it real? That's a whole new level of "Wow." 🌍
For now, the plan is more of a conversation starter than a construction blueprint. Will global leaders and private giants dig in? Stay tuned, because if this gains traction, we might be saying "All aboard!" across borders sooner than you think. 🚄
Reference(s):
A tunnel from Russia to Alaska? Trump calls proposal 'interesting'
cgtn.com
