“I won’t accept any other position”: Mykhailo Fedorov turned down the president’s offer

This information was revealed to journalists at “Shelter.”

According to Fedorov, in January 2026, at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, his team began working at the Ministry of Defense, presenting the AIR–LAND–ECONOMY plan, which called for defending Ukrainian airspace, holding the front line, and striking at Russia’s economic potential.

The former minister noted that the team implemented this plan over the course of six months, and the results achieved, he said, allowed Ukraine to seize the initiative and create a “window of opportunity” to force Russia to make peace.

At the same time, Fedorov thanked the president for the proposed options for his future work but emphasized that he refuses to accept any other position.

According to Fedorov, only the Minister of Defense has sufficient authority to combat corruption in defense procurement, complete the transformation of the army, carry out asymmetric operations against the enemy, and continue the reforms already initiated by his team.

He also emphasized that what matters most to him is not status or position, but the ability to have a real impact on the course of the war and bring Ukraine closer to victory.

As a reminder, the president offered former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Military Innovation.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that he does not expect significant changes in Ukraine’s strategy in the war against Russia following the appointment of the new defense minister. Commenting on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov from the post of defense minister after six months in office, Rutte emphasized that he expects “continuity” in the work of the defense ministry.