Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said he declined what he described as a “decorative” government role after leaving office, arguing it would not have given him the authority to implement reforms.

He said the planned mobilization reform was intended to launch in August and expressed hope it would continue under the new Defense Ministry leadership. Fedorov also said he turned down an offer to become an adviser to Italy’s defense minister, stressing that he will remain in Ukraine.