M. Fedorov stated that he is grateful to V. Zelensky for all the options offered, but currently there are only three positions in Ukraine, which, besides the soldiers on the battlefield, actually determine the course of the war. According to him, these are the president, the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the minister of defense.
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“That is why I refuse to take any other position except that of Minister of Defense. None of the other positions provide real powers to overcome corruption in public procurement, complete the initiated army reform, plan and implement asymmetric actions and operations against the enemy, eradicate the culture of lies and irresponsibility within the system, and complete other tasks that our team has already started in the Ministry of Defense,” the former minister emphasized.
He added that he never focused on positions or status, and for him, only the ability to genuinely influence results and bring Ukraine’s victory closer is important.
M. Fedorov noted that in January 2026, together with his team, he came to the Ministry of Defense with a specific plan for ending the war, which includes air defense, stopping the front, and striking the enemy’s economy.
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According to the former minister, within six months, the Ministry of Defense consistently implemented this plan, and Ukraine, for the first time in recent years, began to take the initiative.
“Our joint results have created something that did not exist before – a window of opportunity that allows us to force Russia into peace terms. And it cannot be lost,” he said.
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