Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has accepted an offer to become an adviser on defense innovations to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
Fedorov announced the appointment on Telegram, stating that he met with Crosetto during the first stop of an international trip focused on developing new projects in digitalization and defense technology.
Fedorov thanked Crosetto for his personal support and the offer, expressing gratitude for their strategic partnership and trust. In his new role, Fedorov said he will help Italy develop modern warfare technologies, improve its defense sector, and adapt to global security challenges.
He emphasized that Ukraine and his team possess unique experience in technological warfare that they are ready to share with international partners. He added that he will also continue working in Ukraine on projects that strengthen defense capabilities and help attract international resources.
Italian defense offer
Crosetto previously stated that he called Fedorov the day after Fedorov was dismissed from his post as Ukraine's defense minister to propose the advisory role. Crosetto recalled asking Fedorov when he wanted to come to Rome to work as his adviser, adding that the former Ukrainian official viewed the offer as a gesture of respect and friendship.
Government reshuffle in Kyiv
The appointment follows political shifts in Kyiv. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, voted 258 in favor of accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, which triggered the automatic resignation of the entire government.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not re-submit Fedorov's nomination for defense minister, citing a conflict between Fedorov and then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Zelenskyy emphasized that while he respected both Fedorov and Syrskyi, major military operations were not the work of a single person, but a collective effort involving intelligence units, special services, and front-line soldiers.
Fedorov, commenting on alternative positions offered to him by the president, stated that he would not accept any post other than head of the defense ministry. Following his departure, prolonged cardboard protests took place in Ukraine as participants demanded that the president reinstate Fedorov. However, the majority of protesters withdrew their support after Fedorov declared the need to hold elections in Ukraine.
