Russia Proposes Putin-Trump Tunnel Linking Alaska and Siberia, Eyes Collaboration with Elon Musk:

In a surprising turn of geopolitical and infrastructure developments, a top Kremlin official has proposed the construction of an undersea tunnel linking Russia and the United States through the Bering Strait. The so-called Putin-Trump Tunnel would stretch approximately 112 kilometers (70 miles), creating a direct rail and cargo connection between Siberia and Alaska. The proposal was made by Kirill Dmitriev, a Kremlin investment envoy and the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Dmitriev suggested that the ambitious tunnel could be built with the help of Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, known for its high-tech underground transit solutions. "The time has come to do more and connect the continents for the first time in human history," Dmitriev said, describing the potential project as a symbol of global unity. He also took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), tagging Musk and writing, “Let’s build a future together,” in a post that showcased a conceptual graphic of the tunnel route. The proposed Bering Strait tunnel would link Russia’s remote Chukotka region with Alaska, crossing through the small Diomede Islands, which are only 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) apart. Though the idea has existed in various forms for over 150 years, this is one of the most prominent modern pushes for its realization. US President Donald Trump, who has promised to expand fossil fuel exploration under the motto “drill, baby drill” during his second term, commented on the proposal during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Trump called the idea “interesting,” and even asked Zelenskyy for his opinion on the matter. Zelenskyy, however, was less enthusiastic. “I’m not happy with this idea,” he responded bluntly. Dmitriev has also floated the possibility of broader Russia-China-US cooperation in the Arctic, particularly in the hydrocarbon and energy sectors, as polar ice continues to recede due to climate change. "Russia is eyeing the opportunity of joint projects in the Arctic region," he stated, highlighting the strategic importance of the region for future resource exploration. The timing of Dmitriev’s announcement is notable. It follows a reported two-hour phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night. Trump has said the two leaders will meet in Budapest within the next two weeks, with the Kremlin also confirming the upcoming talks. Dmitriev compared the modern proposal to an old Cold War-era idea for a “Kennedy-Khrushchev World Peace Bridge” over the Bering Strait, even posting a vintage sketch of the route. His messaging emphasizes a vision of long-term peace and economic collaboration. As of Friday evening, Elon Musk had not publicly responded to Dmitriev’s proposal. While political tensions remain high between Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine, the Putin-Trump Tunnel proposal adds a surprising new dimension to the conversation—one that blends futuristic infrastructure with complex geopolitics.

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