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Zelensky imposes sanctions on former press secretary Mendel who echoed Russian propaganda

• 3 min read
Zelensky imposes sanctions on former press secretary Mendel who echoed Russian propaganda
Then-press secretary of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Iulia Mendel, is seen during Zelensky's all-day meeting with the media in Kyiv on Oct. 10, 2019. (Sergii Kharchenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions on his former press secretary and vocal critic, Iuliia Mendel, on Sept. 13.

The former press secretary has echoed Russian propaganda criticizing Zelensky in a drastic turn from her former praise of Ukraine's leader.

In Zelensky's latest presidential decree, sanctions were imposed on several individuals and consist of various personal restrictions.

Mendel will be stripped of her state awards, cannot move capital out of Ukraine, and has had her assets frozen.

She slammed the decision to impose sanctions against her in a post to X.

"A few days before my address to the European Parliament, Volodymyr Zelensky — my former boss — imposed sanctions on me," Mendel said.

The former secretary was invited to speak at a sideline event at the invitation of Germany's far-right AfD, she said days earlier.

Members of the party have previously criticized military support for Ukraine and financial support for Ukrainian refugees.

"I anticipated the possibility of sanctions. This does not change my position," Mendel said.

"Sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional, just like many of Zelensky's other decisions. Volodymyr Zelensky uses them against anyone who advocates for peace in Ukraine. I knew that 'high treason' charges were being prepared over my interview with Tucker Carlson," she said.

Mendel spoke to U.S. far-right podcaster Tucker Carlson in May, appearing on his podcast where she criticized Zelensky.

Mendel described Zelensky as "a dictator" and "the greatest obstacle to peace" in Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Ivanyshyn

News Editor

Volodymyr Ivanyshyn is a news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He is pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in political science with a minor in anthropology and human geography. Volodymyr holds a Certificate in Business Fundamentals from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. He previously completed an internship with The Kyiv Independent.

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