An ambitious $8 billion undersea tunnel proposal could forge a connection between the United States and Russia, potentially with the involvement of Elon Musk.
Despite the current sanctions that the US has levied against Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, former President Donald Trump has engaged in discussions with Vladimir Putin, aiming to resolve the hostilities.
While Putin’s exact motives remain uncertain, a Kremlin official has hinted at Russia’s desire for stronger ties with the US through a ‘Putin-Trump’ rail tunnel that would connect eastern Russia with Alaska.
Kremlin investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev has mentioned that the 70-mile tunnel between Siberia and Alaska could facilitate joint exploration of resources, and he has even proposed that Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, might undertake its construction.
Dmitriev, who has played an active role in negotiations for peace in Ukraine, claims that Musk’s Boring Company could accomplish the massive project with an $8 billion budget, potentially completing it within eight years.
“Elon Musk, imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and Afro-Eurasia, with the Putin-Trump Tunnel – a 70-mile link symbolising unity,” Dmitriev posted on X, previously known as Twitter, last week.
“Traditional costs are [over] $65bn, but the Boring Company’s tech could reduce it to [under] $8bn. Let’s build a future together!”
He added: “This mega-project will connect continents and make the Boring Company the most exciting infrastructure innovator ever!”
Neither Trump nor Putin have publicly addressed the tunnel proposal.
This development follows a Financial Times report indicating tensions flared between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the latter’s recent visit to the White House.
Reports suggest Trump urged Ukraine to accept Putin’s comprehensive peace terms, which included surrendering the entire Donbas region, a condition Zelenskyy has refused.
According to the report, the meeting escalated with Trump discarding maps and both leaders exchanging heated words.
Trump warned that ‘Putin will destroy you’ if concessions weren’t made, while Zelenskyy countered that ‘Putin doesn’t want peace, that’s why we need pressure on him’.
Zelenskyy had hoped to secure Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US, as these advanced weapons would greatly enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities.
However, it is reported that during Friday’s meeting, the Republican president confirmed that these weapons would not be supplied to Ukraine.