Putin's Envoy Calls for Russia-US Undersea Tunnel with Elon Musk's Help

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev has called for a partnership with Elon Musk to build a 70-mile undersea tunnel connecting Alaska and Russia, as part of a proposed 'Putin-Trump Tunnel' dubbed by Dmitriev. The project, which could cost under $8 billion with Musk's technology, aims to "symbolize unity" between the two nations. This comes as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed potential trade between the two countries once the war in Ukraine ends.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed undersea tunnel would connect Alaska and Russia, spanning approximately 70 miles, with an estimated cost of under $8 billion using Elon Musk's Boring Company technology.
• This proposal was made by Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's sovereign wealth fund chief executive and special envoy for investment, on social media platform X.
• The idea is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to entice President Trump with economic cooperation prospects if Western sanctions are lifted.
• Dmitriev cited potential economic benefits for American companies, claiming they have lost over $340 billion by withdrawing from the Russian market.
• Historical precedents for a trans-Bering Strait connection include a 1904 proposal for a Siberia-Alaska railway and Russia's 2007 plan for a similar link.
• Engineers have warned that the region's extreme conditions, including frequent seismic activity and subzero temperatures, would make the project extremely difficult to execute.

Statistics:

• Estimated cost of the undersea tunnel project: under $8 billion
• Original estimated cost of the project: $65 billion
• Potential lost revenue for American companies: over $340 billion
• Length of the proposed tunnel: approximately 70 miles
• Length of the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France: 31.5 miles

Sources:

• "Financial times" (exact quote and formatting preserved)