My 2 days at #InnoTrans2022 are over. Great days, fully packed with back-to-back meetings and events. Leaving #Berlin with a heavy heart.
Warning: long🧵ahead!
I came to #Berlin right after spending 3 days in #Kharkiv. Drastic difference between constantly shelled Kharkiv and flourishing Berlin. But for me personally its much more comfortable to be in eastern Ukraine, together with my people under fire, rather than in a peaceful Berlin.
But have to throw the track to EU for @Ukrzaliznytsia. Ukraine made its choice - we head to EU, and UZ will join European railways family. This integration will take years, but there is no other way. We start #IronEurointegration.
In my speech on #InnoTrans2022 opening ceremony, I stressed on the importance of railways for the country’s security. And assured all the honorable guests that UZ will join the network of EU railways, bringing in not only strongest resilience, but numerous business opportunities.
Would like to thank Polish railways @PKP_SA and its Chairman @maminski_k for generously hosting @Ukrzaliznytsia at PKP stand. This war made us very frugal, and saving money even for a booth was important for me. And that’s where PKP supported us, again. Dziekuje!
Signed MOU with @maminski_k on establishing JV for cargo transportation on European side between @PKP_SA and @Ukrzaliznytsia. Sure that will help Ukrainian cargo owners to get better service in EU. And for PKP that means more business in cargo. Win-win.
Signed MOU with Dr. Richard Lutz, CEO of @DB_Presse on further steady development of relations. DB was an important partner for UZ before the war, helping much during the war, and we are happy to strengthen our further cooperation.
My very special thanks goes to Dr. Richard Lutz, CEO of @DB_Presse. He arranged the warmest reception for us in Berlin and strongly assured further support. So nice to feel you are genuinely welcomed. Forgot that feeling, honestly speaking. Vielen Dank!
Was happy to see again Niko Warbanoff and Dr. Sigrid Nikutta. Their branches DB Engineering&Consulting and @DB_Cargo are those with whom we’ll have pretty much work in the nearest time.
Strongest assurances of further support from politicians as well. German transport minister @Wissing, EU Commissioner @AdinaValean and Director General Henrik Hololei @Transport_EU - all #StandWithUkraine and UZ.
Spoke about #Leadership on Rail Leaders Summit 2022. Our President @ZelenskyyUa said one day “I need ammo, not a ride”. I thanked everyone for helping Ukraine, and reminded that we are hard-working and robust people, and will join EU bringing in numerous opportunities.
Hosted Ukrainian Gratitude Breakfast at @InnoTrans2022 and gathered our strongest international supporters. But that deserves a separate story, trust me. Promise to tell later.
Leaving #Berlin right before the arrival of new wave of city visitors - @berlinmarathon runners. Great city never stops and #KeepsRunning. Just like Ukrainian railways :)
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
So, here is the story of defense industrial base conference #DFNC1: US edition in Washington DC, 6-7 Dec.
Danger: long 🧵 ahead!
Looking back to September when we hosted the first-ever defense industry forum #DFNC1 in Kyiv, I must say the US edition is a logical next step. We had 13 US companies visiting Kyiv in September.
Now we brought 38 Ukrainian companies to the US. State-owned, led by @ukroboronprom and @HermanSmetanin personally, and private. B2B dialogue is crucial for further development of joint collaboration.
First time since the beginning of the #RussiaUkraineWar we brought together 67 factory managers of @ukroboronprom, our state-owned defense industry holding.
And here is why it's important.
Danger! Mid-size 🧵 here! :)
Here in Ukraine we work hard on increasing local production of weapons and ammunition. Manufacturing more #IronThings that help our armed forces fight #russians out of my land.
Therefore our factories and factory managers become important. Being neglected for decades, our factories return to life and start growing production volumes.
It happened after 3 people died in front of a closed shelter in Kyiv during another shelling by #russians.
Danger: long 🧵 ahead.
Yes, it's #russsians who are responsible for those deaths. No argue.
But it’s we, who could save those lives. If our shelters were properly functioning. And actually they should on 464th day of the war.
After finishing my day work in the ministry, I started digging in the shelters issue. I read reports and met people. And I must say the issue seems to be complicated.
Why. Bcoz we have to be ready for #marathon in this war, in UZ, in our lives.
It was my 2nd marathon (1st one was @nycmarathon in 2019).
Today I had 3 goals: 1. Not to die - ✔️ 2. Not to stop - ✔️ 3. Run in <5h - ✔️
My result today is worse than 1st one, but I'm fine with it.
I've started training exactly one month ago. On 5th of Feb. My trainer Alexander Kuzin drafted my training plan right on the napkin. 4 weeks, 3 trainings a week.
I don't actually remember how we got from putin’s idea to “take Kyiv in 3 days” to President #Biden walking across #Kyiv together with my President #Zelenskyy on the 362nd day of the war.
Let's just say that Biden’s visit to Kyiv yesterday was a historic moment.
So, now when the story with @BorisJohnson’s stylish hat became public, have to tell the whole story.
Danger: long 🧵 ahead.
The story starts in #Irpin, where @BorisJohnson was during his recent visit to Ukraine. Look how grumpy he was. And I thought that the reason could be in his hat. That’s #londonunderground hat, btw.
So when Boris visited our station shop, @Pertsovskyi_O asked @BorisJohnson whether he’d like to try a different hat. A proper one. Ukrainian Railways hat.