Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated the brand-new Big Circle Line of the Moscow subway on Wednesday, participating in the opening ceremony remotely.
The new line is 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) long, and is now the world’s largest underground subway ring. Nine out of the projected 31 stations that will eventually operate on the line opened today as well.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin officiated at the opening ceremony, traditionally asking the head of state to give his permission to commence the line’s operation.
“I give my permission,” Putin said, via a video link, adding: “God bless!”
Russia’s president now plans to show the new circle line to the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, when the latter pays a visit to Moscow.
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