Russia Is All In: Putin Wants To Build A 8,400-Mile Train Route Connecting London To Tokyo 35,634 views With railways having always been of vital strategic importance in Russia, due to its vast area, plans are underway for the construction of a new railway connecting China with Europe as it passes through Kazakhstan and Russia. This massive infrastructure development dovetails with China's One Belt, One Road initiative. Russian rail services have already experienced an increased productivity by over one third during the past five years. This new project will employ modern digital technologies and logistical operations.