In the short run, it is reasonable to foresee new high-speed lines in Russian Federation and Turkey and increased speeds in the eastern and south-eastern parts of Europe. A special situation may emerge in the context with new cargo flows along UNECE's EATL project or the "One Belt — One Road" initiative. Capacity needs from freight may induce the construction of new railway links, which could be designed for high-speed passenger services. Although this spatial effect is not very well known, it is very often the background for political decisions on transport infrastructure, including high-speed lines.