Italy's defense minister offers advisor role to ex-Ukrainian counterpart

Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has extended an unexpected offer to former Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, inviting him to serve as an advisor in Rome. The offer was made the day after Umerov was dismissed from his position in Ukraine.

"I called him the day after his dismissal and asked: 'When would you like to come to Rome and work as my advisor?'" Crosetto told Italian newspaper La Repubblica. He added that Umerov was "pleased" by the proposal and accepted it as a "sign of respect and friendship."

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I called him the day after his dismissal and asked: 'When would you like to come to Rome and work as my advisor?'

Crosetto spoke highly of Umerov's contributions to military technology development, stating, "He is one of those who drastically changed the rules of the game on the battlefield." As a key member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's team, Crosetto credited Umerov with initially helping Ukraine repel Russia's invasion and later shifting the course of the conflict through the implementation of new technologies and the development of drone systems.

While Umerov has not publicly responded to the offer, he reportedly turned down other positions offered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his dismissal, including posts as a presidential advisor and deputy prime minister for military innovation. Umerov's stated condition for returning to government service was to lead the Defense Ministry again.

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He is one of those who drastically changed the rules of the game on the battlefield.