Such a tunnel could reshape transcontinental logistics, integrate markets, and potentially anchor a future Eurasia–North America transport corridor — even attracting third countries, notes Pavel Sevostyanov, associate professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
“However, the key questions — the volume of cargo traffic, how costs compare to maritime transport, and political coordination — still lack convincing answers,” he notes.
According to the expert, this project is perceived more as a symbol of technological cooperation and geoeconomic ambition than as an initiative with a calculated return on investment.
If the tunnel ever becomes reality, nearly everyone stands to gain — except the EU, notes Ekaterina Novikova, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic Theory at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
After effectively severing all cooperation with Russia and resorting to self-harming sanctions, the EU could find itself sidelined from the most profitable trade routes.
“In that scenario, the initiative will be seized by Russia and the United States,” she says.
Last December, Russia’s presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that the idea of a Russia–Alaska tunnel is being discussed as Russia and the US explore avenues for dialogue and a constructive agenda after the Ukraine conflict is resolved.