Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's recently ousted defense minister, has rejected an offer from President Volodymyr Zelensky to serve as deputy prime minister for military innovation. Fedorov insists on returning to his former position, stating his team had a specific plan to end the war upon his appointment in January, which he claims has been consistently implemented over the past six months.
Fedorov stated in a message to journalists on Thursday that his primary goal was to influence the outcome of the conflict and bring Ukraine closer to victory, rather than seeking a specific post or status. He believes that Ukraine has seized the initiative on the battlefield for the first time in recent years, creating a "window of opportunity" to force Russia into peace through strength, which he emphasized should not be lost.
President Zelensky had met with Fedorov earlier in the week and proposed the new role, describing it as crucial for coordinating innovation with the defense ministry, the commander-in-chief, and the president. However, Fedorov declined the offer. It remains unclear whether this marks the end of negotiations regarding his future role.
Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn indicated that discussions are ongoing, stating it would be inappropriate to disclose further details at this stage. Yevhenii Khmara, a former top official at Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), has replaced Fedorov as defense minister.