Mykhailo Fedorov, fired as Ukraine’s defense minister, agrees to become an advisor to Italy’s Guido Crosetto, but says his focus stays on Ukraine

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov met with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and thanked him for his support and for the offer to serve as an advisor on defense innovation.

“In this role, I will assist Italy in adopting modern warfare technologies, enhancing its defense sector, and adapting to emerging global security challenges,” he said in a social media post.

But Fedorov said his main focus remains unchanged. “I continue my work in Ukraine on core projects that strengthen our defense and help attract international resources,” he said.

Fedorov served as Ukraine’s defense minister from January to July 2026, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired him, reportedly over a conflict with Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Crosetto reached out to Fedorov shortly afterward. “I called him the day after his dismissal and said, ‘When do you want to come to Rome and work with me as an advisor?’” he said.

In late August, The Economist, which had reviewed an unpublished poll on a hypothetical presidential election, saidFedorov placed third with 16% of the vote — trailing Zelensky, who placed first, and former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, who placed second.