Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has extended a consultancy offer to Mihailo Fedorov, the recently dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister, according to Reuters.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Crosetto revealed, “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?”
When asked about Fedorov’s reaction, Crosetto described the former minister as being “impressed” and perceiving the offer as “a sign of esteem and friendship.”
Crosetto praised Fedorov as a driver of military innovation, stating that he is “one of those individuals who completely rewrote the rules of engagement on the battlefield.”
Under Fedorov’s leadership, Ukraine managed not only to withstand the Russian invasion but also to regain initiative by transforming battlefield practices through new technologies, Crosetto noted.
The 35-year-old reformer, known for his passion for technology, has been credited by supporters with enhancing Ukraine’s drone capabilities and pushing defense sector reforms. He was removed from his post this month, a decision that sparked rare protests during wartime in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky offered him other positions, but Fedorov has stated he will not accept any government role other than his previous one.
Italy, a founding member of NATO, hosts significant military bases for the alliance and ranks among the top ten most powerful militaries in the world, according to the Global Firepower 2026 analysis.
