Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Imposes Sanctions on Former Press Secretary Yuliia Mendel

Mendel said the sanctions were imposed shortly before her planned appearance at the European Parliament and claimed she had expected possible charges of treason over an interview with Tucker Carlson. She said the measures would not change her position that Ukraine needs peace rather than what she called “another dictatorship.”
The sanctions also strip Mendel of Ukrainian state awards and other forms of recognition, restrict transit and transportation through Ukraine, suspend economic and financial obligations, and allow licenses and other operating permits to be terminated or suspended.
In interviews cited by Ukrainian media, Mendel claimed—without naming sources—that Ukraine’s delegation at the 2022 Istanbul talks was prepared to accept all of Russia’s demands. She also made unsubstantiated allegations about President Zelenskyy and former presidential-office head Andrii Yermak, including claims involving money laundering, drug use and occult rituals.
The accompanying sanctions package covered 20 vessels allegedly used by Russia’s shadow fleet to export oil, oil products and liquefied gas, as well as 29 Russian citizens and 29 companies linked to Rostec and the production of missile, drone and other military-related equipment. Ukraine said it would share the information with international partners to coordinate sanctions across jurisdictions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed 10-year sanctions on his former press secretary Yuliia Mendel, accusing her of spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Russia's war. Merimbulan News Weekly reports the penalties include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on trade. Mendel, who served as Zelenskyy's press secretary from 2019 to 2021, called the sanctions unconstitutional and said they punish people who advocate for peace.
The action follows Mendel's public criticism of Zelenskyy and recent interviews where she made unsubstantiated claims about Ukrainian officials and peace negotiations. The Courier reports the sanctions also strip her of state awards and suspend her economic and financial rights. The broader decree targeted 20 Russian shadow-fleet vessels and 58 Russian citizens and companies linked to military production.
Mendel claimed she expected charges of treason over an interview with Tucker Carlson. Dungo Chronicle notes the sanctions came shortly before her planned appearance at the European Parliament. She denied no specific allegations in her response but maintained that Ukraine needs peace, not what she called "another dictatorship."
In interviews, Mendel alleged Ukraine's 2022 Istanbul delegation was prepared to accept all of Russia's demands. Colypoint Observer reports she made unsubstantiated claims about President Zelenskyy and former presidential-office head Andrii Yermak, including accusations of money laundering, drug use, and occult rituals. She did not name sources for these allegations.
The sanctions against Mendel restrict transit through Ukraine and suspend economic obligations. Ulladulla Times reports licenses and operating permits can now be terminated or suspended. She also loses Ukrainian state awards and recognition. The measures freeze her assets and ban capital transfers.
The sanctions package also covered 20 vessels allegedly used by Russia's shadow fleet to export oil and liquefied gas. Merimbulan News Weekly reports 29 Russian citizens and 29 companies linked to Rostec—Russia's state defense conglomerate—were also sanctioned. These companies produce missiles, drones, and other military equipment. Ukraine plans to share this information with international partners to coordinate sanctions globally.
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