title: Geopolitical Ramifications of the China-Europe Railway Express: An Emphasis on the War in Ukraine
abstract: The China-Europe Railway Express (CRE), a network of railroads connecting European and Asian cities, is a critical part of China's Belt and Road Initiative's plan to increase both China's diplomatic and economic influence abroad. This article examines the current status of the CRE in the midst of the geopolitical and diplomatic tensions facing the countries involved with the project. Due to rail travel's high efficiency, low costs, and low carbon emissions, the CRE is desirable to China as its p