The idea of connecting Russia and the USA through a tunnel under the Bering Strait is not new, but it has been rekindled in recent months with renewed interest.
The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev, who also serves as the special representative of President Vladimir Putin in negotiations with the United States, revealed that the technical study for the construction of this ambitious project started six months ago.
In his message on the social media platform X, Dmitriev revealed that the study for the Russia-Alaska tunnel, often referred to as the "Putin - Trump Tunnel," has begun.
This project, which aims to connect Russia with Alaska in the USA, has sparked significant debate and attracted the attention of various experts. It is a massive infrastructure project that could have geopolitical and economic consequences.
The tunnel will be over 100 kilometers long, passing under the Bering Strait, one of the most dangerous and challenging maritime areas on the planet. If completed, the project could drastically change global transport and trade. However, it also raises a number of questions regarding cost, political will, and the potential impact on international relations.
.@elonmusk, imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolizing unity. Traditional costs are $65B+, but @boringcompany's tech could reduce it to <$8B. Let's build a future together! ?????? ? https://t.co/boCVb8xqjl pic.twitter.com/QXmTYAduqm
— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 16, 2025
From the Soviet JFK docs released by @RepLuna: Kennedy–Khrushchev World Peace Bridge “could and should be built between Alaska and Russia at once.”
— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 16, 2025
With modern @boringcompany technology this can become a Putin-Trump tunnel connecting the Eurasia and Americas for < $8 billion pic.twitter.com/c84VK75rh5
An old-fashioned idea
The idea of connecting the two continents dates back to the 19th century. William Gilpin, an American visionary and futurist, was the first to propose the idea in 1890 as part of the Cosmopolitan Railway Line program, which would connect almost the entire world.
This proposal followed a similar suggestion by Joseph Strauss, the engineer behind the Golden Gate Bridge, who proposed the construction of a railway bridge over the Bering Strait.
However, it was not until the 20th century that the idea gained more attention. During the Cold War, particularly in the 1950s, the idea of a bridge or tunnel was associated with humanitarian and anti-war thoughts, as well as the desire to promote mutual understanding between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The proposal gained support from American engineers such as Tung-Yen Lin, who believed that such a project could promote peace and trade between the two superpowers. Although the idea was extensively discussed throughout the 20th century, no serious technical work was done until the 1990s.
Viktor Razbegin, a Russian scientist and engineer, was one of the main advocates for the construction of the tunnel, and in 1993, the international company Interhemispheric Bering Strait Tunnel & Railroad Group (IBSTRG) was created to conduct studies from both sides of the Strait.
Tunnel or bridge?
The proposed "Putin - Trump" tunnel is intended to be a high-speed rail corridor connecting Russia and the United States. If completed, it would be the first direct railway connection between the two continents and could revolutionize trade and transport. However, there are several technical challenges to be addressed.
The tunnel would pass beneath the Bering Strait, which has a maximum depth of 60 meters. The ground there is relatively stable, and experts believe the conditions are suitable for tunnel construction. Razbegin has argued that subsea tunnels of this length are technically feasible, referring to the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, which was constructed in an area with high seismic activity.
According to him, the tunnel under the Bering Strait would not be more complicated than other large constructions, such as the Severomuisky Tunnel or the Lefortovo Tunnel in Moscow. However, several challenges still remain. Geological and seismic conditions, the economic challenges of building a tunnel of such length, and the high construction costs make the project exceptionally difficult.
Experts also highlight the political challenges, as it is uncertain whether the two countries will agree on such an ambitious project.
Economic factors
One of the biggest issues surrounding the project is its economic viability. The cost of building such a massive infrastructure is incredibly high. Dmitriev has mentioned that the total cost could exceed $65 billion, while others estimate that the cost of the tunnel alone could be around $15-20 billion, with additional infrastructure expenses raising the total cost to $50 billion or more.
Building a railway line on both sides of the tunnel requires extensive investments in infrastructure. In Russia, a railway line would need to be extended from Yakutsk to the village of Uelen in Chukotka, covering a distance of approximately 3,700 kilometers. In the United States, the railway network would need to be extended by 2,000 kilometers. These connections do not exist today, and the required construction would take years to complete.
Beyond this, the economic benefit of implementing such a project remains unclear. Railroads in Alaska and Russia are underdeveloped, and it is uncertain whether the volume of goods and passengers to be transported through the tunnel will justify the enormous cost. While some experts argue that the tunnel could open new trade routes and drastically reduce delivery times, others believe the project may not be economically viable, given the low population density in the areas to be connected and the high construction costs.
A global game
Despite the uncertainties, many view the tunnel as a project that could change the game. If completed, it could drastically reduce shipping times between Asia, North America, and Europe, opening up new opportunities for trade. A direct railway connection between Russia, China, and the USA could revolutionize the transportation of goods, making it more efficient and economical.
Some experts predict that the tunnel could have a profound impact on the global economy, with a potential traffic volume of over 100 million tons per year.
The efficiency benefits would be significant, as the tunnel would eliminate the need for massive maritime transport of goods and ports. It would also reduce reliance on air transport, which is the fastest but also the most expensive method.
In this context, the tunnel is not just a connection between Russia and the USA, but could become a symbol of global unity, a gateway between the continents, and a mechanism for enhanced trade and communication. Countries such as China, Japan, and Canada could also benefit from the infrastructure, connecting their economies more closely with those of Europe and the USA.
Challenges ahead
Despite the technical and logistical challenges of the project, the political challenges may prove even more difficult. Negotiations between the Russian and US governments will be complicated and sensitive, especially given the current geopolitical climate. The success of the project will depend on the two countries' ability to overcome their political differences and cooperate to implement the tunnel.
The fact that Trump has expressed interest in the project adds an interesting dimension. While Trump's enthusiasm for the project may signal potential progress in US-Russia relations, it remains unclear whether the two sides will be able to overcome their entrenched positions.
Ultimately, the success of the tunnel will depend on political will, international cooperation, and long-term economic planning. The proposal for a tunnel between Russia and the United States under the Bering Strait is an ambitious and bold idea. While technically feasible, its implementation requires overcoming significant economic, political, and logistical obstacles. If completed, however, it could revolutionize global trade and strengthen relations between the two largest countries in the world. Whether it becomes a reality or not, the Putin - Trump tunnel remains an example of the power of visions to shape the future.
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