Full Breakdown
Mykhailo Fedorov’s Planned U.S. Visit to Secure Defence-Tech Funding
8/22/2026, 8:44:36 AM
Planned U.S. Visit Focused on Defence Technology Funding
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov is arranging a trip to the United States aimed at attracting capital for new defence-technology projects and an investment fund. A source close to Fedorov told Reuters that the itinerary does not include meetings with U.S. politicians or government officials. No specific dates have been announced, but Ukrainian media report that the visit could occur as early as the coming week.
Background: Dismissal, Election Call, and Tech Advocacy
Fedorov was dismissed from the defence ministry in July, prompting protests in Kyiv and other cities that have since subsided. On August 18 he publicly called for wartime elections, a move that contravenes Ukraine’s constitutional ban on elections during martial law and marked the first such call by a senior Ukrainian official. Throughout the 2022 Russian invasion, Fedorov championed drone warfare and digital solutions, most notably securing SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s personal appeal that activated Starlink satellite terminals across Ukraine. Tens of thousands of those terminals now underpin battlefield communications and drone operations.
Official Statements & Responses
Fedorov’s press service told public broadcaster Suspilne that the planned U.S. trip will focus exclusively on defence-technology financing and that no meetings with U.S. politicians are scheduled. The Reuters source added that while Fedorov continues dialogue with Musk about Starlink services, no meeting between the two is currently planned. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the funding initiative, and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office has reiterated its stance that elections should be held after the war ends.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Can Russia effectively be given the right to dictate when Ukrainians can choose their government again? I am convinced that the answer is no,” — Mykhailo Fedorov, ousted defence minister
What’s Next
If the trip proceeds, Fedorov intends to launch several projects linked to the war effort and Ukraine’s startup ecosystem, including an investment fund targeting drones, satellite communications, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Continued engagement with Silicon Valley firms could channel private capital into Ukraine’s defence industry, potentially bolstering military capabilities while giving Fedorov a post-government platform.
