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, it was an honor and a privilege for me and the whole #IronTeam of @Ukrzaliznytsia to deal with this visit. I must say, it was complicated. But we did it. That's how #RailForceOne appeared.
Out of 24 hours, president Biden spent 20 on the train (both directions), and only 4 in Kyiv. That's why it was important for us to care about him in a proper way. And we did.
I will not tell much more about this mission. Just believe me, it was quite a complicated project for us. Our #IronDiplomacy program helps my country withstand in this war, that's why we #KeepRunning.
I also want to apologize for breaking our OTP (On Time Performance) yesterday. We had to delay some of our trains to give a way to #RailForceOne. It was painful for me and my team, but I had to do that. So only 90% of our trains arrived on time yesterday. I apologize.
Grateful to all #IronPeople engaged in this mission, @OlKubrakov and his team, as well as @USAmbKyiv and the whole embassy team, and many other people whom I can't name. 😎
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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.
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.
Launched the first train connecting 🇺🇦 Ukraine and 🇷🇴 Romania.
Danger: long 🧵 ahead! :)
Just to remind. Back in August 2022, in the middle of the war, we completed 20km of new track reconstruction. That track was closed for 17 years. We done it in 2 months. And then we waited for another 4 months while Romanian railways completed its part of the job.
We also brought brand new diesel train to the route. Made in Ukraine during the war, btw.