A Kremlin investment envoy has proposed a massive infrastructure project that could physically connect Russia and the United States through a tunnel under the Bering Strait. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and an investment envoy for President Vladimir Putin, floated the idea of a &ldquo;Putin-Trump Tunnel&rdquo; linking Russia&rsquo;s Chukotka region to Alaska.
According to Dmitriev, the 70-mile (112 km) undersea tunnel could be constructed for under $8 billion if built with tunneling technology from The Boring Company, owned by Elon Musk. Traditional estimates for such a mega-project exceed $65 billion. Dmitriev suggested that with modern technology, construction could be completed in less than eight years.
He posted an open appeal on X, saying the tunnel could connect &ldquo;the Americas and Afro-Eurasia&rdquo; and symbolize a new era of U.S.&ndash;Russia cooperation. The timing of the proposal coincides with plans for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Budapest.
However, experts warn the project faces formidable technical, logistical, and geopolitical challenges. The Bering Strait is remote, seismically active, and environmentally sensitive. There are also political hurdles due to current tensions between Washington and Moscow, as well as existing sanctions.
No formal agreement or commitment has been made by Musk or U.S. authorities, and the idea currently remains at a conceptual stage. Still, the proposal underscores the Kremlin&rsquo;s strategic interest in Arctic infrastructure and its desire to signal cooperation through high-profile mega-projects.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund

Russia proposes $8B Bering Strait tunnel linking Alaska and Chukotka, eyes Musk tech

Russia eyes $8B Bering Strait tunnel to US

Russia proposes $8B Bering Strait tunnel linking Alaska and Chukotka, eyes Musk tech

October 18, 2025 | 16:28 IST