Rome: Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has offered a senior advisory role to Ukraine's former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, just days after he was removed from office in a government reshuffle that has sparked political debate in Ukraine and drawn attention across Europe.
Crosetto announced that he had personally contacted Fedorov following his dismissal and invited him to serve as an adviser to Italy's Defence Ministry. The Italian minister described the offer as both a gesture of friendship and recognition of Fedorov's work in modernising Ukraine's armed forces during the ongoing war with Russia.
Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Crosetto praised Fedorov as one of the most innovative defence leaders in Europe. He said Ukraine's former minister had played an important role in transforming the country's military by promoting the use of advanced technology, expanding drone production and improving defence procurement systems.
Fedorov has not yet announced whether he will accept the Italian offer.
His removal from Ukraine's government came as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle introduced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The changes surprised many observers because Fedorov had become one of the country's most recognised officials after leading efforts to modernise Ukraine's military with digital technology and locally produced drones.
Before becoming defence minister earlier this year, Fedorov served as Ukraine's minister of digital transformation, where he earned international recognition for building digital public services and encouraging technological innovation. After taking over the defence portfolio, he continued to push reforms aimed at making Ukraine's military more efficient and technologically advanced.
His dismissal has become one of the most discussed political developments in Ukraine in recent months. Hundreds of people have gathered in Kyiv to express support for Fedorov, with demonstrators calling on the government to reconsider its decision. Public protests over wartime government appointments have been relatively uncommon since Russia launched its full scale invasion, making the demonstrations especially significant.
According to Reuters and other international media reports, Fedorov has declined offers to take on other senior government positions. He reportedly believes that only the offices of president, commander in chief or defence minister have enough authority to implement the major military reforms he considers necessary during the war.
The reshuffle has also highlighted disagreements within Ukraine's leadership over the direction of military reforms. Reports suggest Fedorov had differences with senior military officials regarding defence procurement, battlefield technology, drone deployment and the pace of modernisation. He had argued that Ukraine needed to accelerate innovation to maintain its advantage against Russian forces.
Despite leaving office, Fedorov continues to receive strong support from many of Ukraine's international partners. Western defence experts have frequently praised his efforts to strengthen Ukraine's domestic defence industry and reduce dependence on foreign military supplies by increasing local production of drones and other advanced equipment.
Crosetto's invitation reflects growing interest among European countries in learning from Ukraine's wartime experience. Since the start of Russia's invasion, Ukraine has become a global leader in the use of drones, electronic warfare and digital battlefield management. Many NATO members have closely studied these developments to improve their own defence capabilities.
Italy has remained one of Ukraine's important European partners, providing military assistance, training and humanitarian support since the war began. By offering Fedorov an advisory position, Rome is signalling that it values his expertise regardless of changes in Ukraine's political leadership.
Political analysts say the offer is also unusual because it comes from a serving defence minister to a recently dismissed foreign counterpart. Such gestures are rare in international politics and underline the high regard in which Fedorov is held by some European leaders.
As of Saturday, there has been no official response from the Ukrainian government regarding Italy's proposal. Fedorov has also remained silent on whether he intends to continue his career in public service, either in Ukraine or abroad.
The developments come at a crucial stage in the war, with Ukraine continuing to rely on military innovation and close cooperation with its Western allies. Fedorov's next move is expected to be watched closely, both in Kyiv and across Europe, as governments seek experienced leaders who can help shape the future of modern defence and security.