Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said he declined the offer made by President Volodymyr Zelensky to become his adviser after deciding to replace himSpeaking at an emergency briefing in Kyiv on Thursday, July 16, Fedorov said the two had a constructive conversation following the president’s decision to remove him from the position.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“We had a normal conversation yesterday [July 15]. The president offered me the position of adviser or another way to remain on the team,” Fedorov said.He said he rejected the proposal, insisting he had never sought public office for its own sake.“I refused the position of adviser. My goal was never to become a minister, remain a minister, or simply hold a position,” he said.Fedorov also expressed gratitude toward Zelensky, saying he had always been loyal to the president and proud of what they had achieved together.“Among the people around the president, I am probably the one who appreciated and respected him the most. I have never let him down. There were no corruption scandals, no schemes,” he said.He credited their team with building Ukraine’s digital state, launching the Diia and Mriia platforms, reforming the tax system for technology companies, and, after Russia’s full-scale invasion, transforming the country’s defense capabilities.Fedorov also commented on the resignation of Deputy Air Force Commander Pavlo Yelizarov, who stepped down in protest over Fedorov’s dismissal, saying he hopes the situation will still change.