Mendel calls Zelensky's sanctions against her unconstitutional

Yulia Mendel, press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky from 2019 to 2021, said on 13 September that the sanctions imposed on her by Ukraine are unconstitutional and are aimed at silencing Ukrainians who advocate for peace, calling Zelensky's governance a form of dictatorship.

Reaction to the sanctions

In a statement on Facebook, Mendel wrote: "A few days before my speech at the European Parliament, Volodymyr Zelensky, my former boss, imposed sanctions against me. Sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional, as are many other decisions by Zelensky. He uses them against everyone who speaks in favour of peace in Ukraine."

She stated she had anticipated sanctions after learning of possible treason charges related to her interview with Tucker Carlson. "This does not change my position, nor that of millions of Ukrainians. For survival, Ukraine needs peace, not another dictatorship, even if it is Zelensky's," she added.

Background

Mendel gained international attention in May 2026 when she told Tucker Carlson in an interview that the Ukrainian delegation at the Istanbul talks in 2022 had been willing to accept all Russian demands in exchange for an end to the war, citing conversations with unnamed sources. She also accused Zelensky of money laundering and drug use — allegations the president has denied. Ukraine imposed sanctions on her as part of a broader package targeting propagandists who justify Russian aggression.