Khmara offered Fedorov continued Defense Ministry work but got no response
Khmara says he proposed continuing work on projects together with Fedorov (Photo: Zelenskiy / Official via Telegram)
In July, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara met with former
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and proposed finding a format for them to
continue working together. Fedorov has yet to respond, Khmara told reporters,
according to NV.
Asked about the possibility of Fedorov returning to the
Defense Ministry as an adviser or in another role, Khmara said they met once in
July. He did not offer Fedorov any specific position but proposed finding a
model or format that would allow them to continue working together on projects.
Fedorov has yet to respond.
Khmara also said he wants to retain the Defense Ministry
team to ensure continuity and continue projects already underway.
He said the ministry still has strong specialists whose task
is to ensure continuity, continue important projects and strengthen areas that
require additional attention. The Defense Ministry will also step up its
digital transformation and cognitive warfare efforts, Khmara said.
On Aug. 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he
had offered former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov “different ways to
continue working as part of the state team” four times. According to the
president, Fedorov rejected all the offers.
On Aug. 28, Fedorov said he had become an adviser to Italian
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto on defense innovation. The two have already
discussed the development of drones, autonomous systems, air defense and the
defense tech ecosystem.
Fedorov said Crosetto personally invited him to work as an
adviser. In that role, Fedorov will help Italy develop modern defense
technologies, improve its defense sector and adapt to new security challenges.
News that Crosetto had offered Fedorov an advisory position
emerged in late July. The minister told La Repubblica that he called Fedorov
the day after his dismissal. Fedorov was moved by the offer and viewed it as a
gesture of respect and friendship, Crosetto said.
On Aug. 29, Fedorov’s press office said his previous
position as defense minister does not prevent him from serving as an adviser.
On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed the entire government,
including then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protests began on July 16 in
Kyiv and other cities in support of Fedorov and demanding the resignation of
Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The president replaced Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi and
held several meetings with Fedorov, offering him various positions, including
deputy prime minister for military innovation. Fedorov, however, said he would
not accept any position other than defense minister.
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