The first foreign delegation to Kyiv during the 2022 invasion meeting with Ukrainian leaders in front of the situation room after arriving by rail[a]US secretary of state Antony Blinken on the train to Kyiv
"Iron diplomacy" (Ukrainian: залізна дипломатія, romanized: zalizna dyplomatiia) refers to the practice of transporting world leaders from Poland through Ukraine via rail since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The expression was coined by Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of Ukrainian Railways, because many diplomats were being shuttled by train to and from Kyiv, the capital city, as the use of Ukrainian airspace was impractical due to the invasion.[10][11][9] In addition, the first foreign leaders to visit Kyiv had decided to avoid travelling from Poland to Ukraine via a Polish military jet, in case Russia interpreted it as an escalating move.[12] The journeys, including US President Joe Biden's 2023 visit, begin in Poland with a flight to Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport and then transfer to Przemyśl Główny railway station, where the visiting leaders board an overnight train to Kyiv.[13]
Since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine's airspace has been closed and its roads have become unreliable due to fighting.[16] As a result, the country has been forced to rely heavily on its rail system for transport, including for humanitarian aid, refugees, weapons, and food for export.[16][10] As the rail system is crucial in Ukraine's resistance to the invasion, Ukrainian Railways has continued to run despite repeated attacks against the system, such as the attack on Kramatorsk station.[10] Security has also increased, and Aleksandr Kamyshin, who runs Ukrainian Railways, is now armed and accompanied by two bodyguards, keeps his schedule and location secret, and avoids physical contact with his family.[10][b]
Diplomats and other world leaders who wish to travel through Ukraine are faced with a similar lack of options, so they regularly take part in Kamyshin's iron diplomacy program.[16] The train ride takes nearly 10 hours.[17] Ukraine also provides a security detail for the visiting leaders, and Kamyshin also keeps their travel details secret, but sometimes information ends up being publicized before the delegation has left Ukraine, which increases the risk of an attack.[16][18] In anticipation of possible attack, two alternate routes are always prepared.[19]
As of December 2024, more than 1000 trips were provided to foreign dignitaries.[19]
Carriages
One of the carriages used in the iron diplomacy program was originally constructed for rich tourists to the Crimean peninsula.[16][14] Completed in 2014, it was used only a few times before Russia annexed the peninsula early that year.[14] Recently modernized carriages from the Soviet era have also been used for the iron diplomacy program.[16] Although most cars have been retrofitted with upscale furnishings to allow visiting leaders to travel comfortably, not all carriages have been refurbished to the same standard.[16] Discrepancies regarding train car accommodations were noted by the French president Emmanuel Macron, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the Italian prime minister Mario Draghi during their joint trip to Kyiv in June 2022.[15] Some carriages are fitted with conference room and private bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Due to the limited number of furnished carriages, not all foreign dignitaries travel in these carriages.[19]
German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier originally planned to take part in this visit, but had his invitation withdrawn by the Ukrainian government. Steinmeier eventually visited Ukraine on 25 October 2022
Cassis met with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, prime minister Denys Shmyhal and foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss humanitarian assistance and rebuilding efforts
Steinmeier planned to visit in April 2022 along with the presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, but his invitation was rescinded by Ukraine. Steinmeier had a telephone conversation with president Zelenskyy in May, during which Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Steinmeier to visit.
Steinmeier also visited the town of Koriukivka, where he met Ukrainian officials in an air-raid shelter due to the launching of Iranian-designed Russian drones from Belarus.
The four leaders together with president Zelenskyy launched the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative, which aims to export Ukrainian grain to countries vulnerable to famine and drought
Trudeau and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland met president Zelenskyy
Trudeau laid a wreath at a memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, addressed the Ukrainian parliament, and announced C$500 million in new military aid for Ukraine
^Also part of the Canadian delegation were Jody Thomas, national security advisor; Katie Telford, chief of staff; and Brian Clow, deputy chief of staff.[37]
.jpg)
.jpg)
