Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Former Press Secretary Calls Zelenskyy Threat To Ukrainian Sovereignty
Iuliia Mendel used to work as Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press secretary.
She now strongly criticizes him and says he is bad for Ukraine.
She accused his administration of corruption and of silencing people who disagree with it.
Mendel also described angry behavior she says she witnessed during meetings.
Zelenskyy recently sanctioned her for allegedly spreading disinformation and supporting Russia's policies.
Mendel says those sanctions are unconstitutional and unfair.
Ukrainian officials and some media outlets have challenged her claims.
The article says she has provided little or no evidence for several allegations.
Iuliia Mendel accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of threatening Ukrainian sovereignty and suppressing dissent.
Mendel alleged that corruption and domestic scandals in Ukraine were not caused by Russia's war.
She recalled that Zelenskyy allegedly shouted and banged on a table during meetings.
Zelenskyy imposed 10-year sanctions on Mendel on September 13, accusing her of spreading disinformation and Russian propaganda.
Mendel rejected the allegations and called the sanctions unconstitutional, while Ukrainian outlets questioned the evidence for her claims.
- Who
- Former Ukrainian presidential press secretary Iuliia Mendel and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- What
- Mendel made severe allegations against Zelenskyy, while Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on her.
- When
- Mendel made the remarks in a recent interview; the sanctions were imposed in a September 13, 2026 decree, and the report was published September 18, 2026.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Ukraine; the report is datelined Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Why
- Zelenskyy's decree accused Mendel of spreading disinformation, Russian propaganda, and supporting Russia's aggressive policy toward Ukraine.
Mendel's Claims
Zelenskyy's Position
Government conduct
Mendel's Claims
Mendel says Zelenskyy threatens Ukrainian sovereignty, enables corruption, and suppresses dissent.
Zelenskyy's Position
Ukrainian officials and the Office of the President disputed her earlier claims and questioned their credibility.
Reason for sanctions
Mendel's Claims
Mendel says the sanctions are unconstitutional and target people advocating peace.
Zelenskyy's Position
Zelenskyy's decree says Mendel spread disinformation and Russian propaganda and supported Russia's aggressive policy toward Ukraine.
Evidence
Mendel's Claims
Mendel presents her allegations as accounts of corruption, negotiations, and conduct within the administration.
Zelenskyy's Position
Some Ukrainian outlets said she provided little or no evidence for several allegations.
- Mendel's former role
- She served as Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press secretary from June 2019 to July 2021.
- Main accusation
- Mendel called Zelenskyy a threat to Ukrainian sovereignty and accused his administration of corruption and suppressing dissent.
- Sanctions
- Zelenskyy imposed 10-year sanctions on Mendel through a September 13 decree.
- Sanction measures
- The measures include asset freezes and restrictions on economic activity.
- Mendel's response
- She called the sanctions unconstitutional, accused Zelenskyy of targeting peace advocates, and rejected the allegations against her.
- Evidence dispute
- Some Ukrainian outlets said Mendel provided little or no evidence for several allegations.
- Earlier criticism
- Mendel made additional allegations about Zelenskyy and his government in a May 2026 interview with Tucker Carlson.