Tunnel between Russia and USA to strengthen technological sovereignty - expert

The construction of a tunnel between Chukotka and Alaska using new technologies will strengthen Russia's technological sovereignty, stimulate domestic production of goods for the North American market, and also contribute to the development of logistics centers in the Far East, told TASS Alexander Vorotnikov, coordinator of the expert council of the Arctic Development Project Office. 

Kirill Dmitriev, the special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for economic cooperation with foreign countries, said earlier that the tunnel, which would connect Russia and Alaska through the Bering Strait, could be built in less than eight years, and its cost would not exceed $8 billion. 

"It will give a lot to the country. We always talk about Russia's technological sovereignty and technological development. The development of such technologies, which will be needed during the construction and operation of the tunnel, is our technological sovereignty. We are becoming owners of technology that not the whole world possesses," Vorotnikov said. 
According to him, the existing developments of Elon Musk's Boring Company can be used as the basis for new technologies in the construction of the tunnel. 

Vorotnikov also noted that the appearance of such a tunnel could stimulate the development of production of Russian goods that would be interesting for the North American market. 

In addition, the Chukotka Autonomous Region may become a logistics center for cargo handling. "Chukotka is located near the Transarctic transport сorridor, goods and products obtained through the tunnel can be shipped by sea to other regions of the Russian Federation," the expert said.

Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished