Former Ukrainian defence minister Mikhailo Fedorov is traveling to the United States capital of Washington today following a meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, according to reporting by Radio Svoboda correspondent Alex Raufoglu citing informed sources.
Radio Svoboda reached out directly to the press service of Mikhailo Fedorov to request an official comment regarding his travel to Washington.
Advisory Role in Rome
Prior to his departure for Washington, Fedorov announced that he held a bilateral meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. During their talks, Fedorov agreed to take on the role of an unsalaried advisor to Crosetto, focusing specifically on defence innovation initiatives and military technology.
Following that announcement, the press service for the former defence minister clarified his future residential plans. His representatives stated that Fedorov intends to remain based in Ukraine and will focus his efforts on his own private projects.
Guido Crosetto serves as the Minister of Defence of Italy, overseeing the Italian armed forces and leading national security strategy. Italy is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a member state of the European Union, maintaining active military cooperation and diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Government Reshuffle and Protests
Fedorov headed the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine until July 2026. His tenure as defence minister concluded during a broader government reboot initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who assigned Yevhen Khmara to perform the duties of defence minister.
Following the presidential directive, the Verkhovna Rada officially appointed Khmara to the position of defence minister. Fedorov's departure from the defence ministry sparked large-scale public protests in the capital city of Kyiv as well as other cities across Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada functions as the supreme unicameral parliament of Ukraine, holding sole legislative authority and constitutional power to approve presidential cabinet nominations. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has served as the President of Ukraine since May 2019, directing the nation's executive branch and foreign policy.
Diplomatic Contacts in Washington
Radio Svoboda noted that Fedorov's journey to Washington comes shortly after his diplomatic engagements in Europe. His press office has not yet provided further specifics regarding his exact schedule, duration of stay, or planned meetings in the United States.
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and the seat of its government, housing key institutions including the White House, the Department of Defense at the Pentagon, and the Department of State. Radio Svoboda, the Ukrainian language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, is a news outlet funded through the United States Congress that reports on political and security affairs across Eurasia.
