Ukraine defence minister dismissal controversy

On 24 July 2026, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said he had contacted the newly dismissed Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and invited him to serve as an adviser in Rome, praising his role in reshaping Ukraine’s use of drones, artificial‑intelligence tools and other digital systems. The offer was presented as a gesture of respect and friendship. The same day, Russia’s foreign‑ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reacted sharply, calling the move a “mistake” and mocking Italy’s choice.

On 25 July 2026, Fedorov (spelled Mykhaylo Fedorow in some reports) rejected the advisory position, declaring any role other than reinstatement as defence minister “worthless”. President Volodymyr Zelensky had offered a post overseeing military innovation, but Fedorov insisted on returning to his former cabinet seat. Analysts warned that the public confrontation could be used by Russian propaganda and risk national cohesion while the war continues.