Yulia Mendel accuses Volodymyr Zelenskyy of betrayal and propaganda demands

Yulia Mendel, who served as press secretary for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy between 2019 and 2021, has accused the Ukrainian leader of betrayal and prioritizing personal interests over the nation. In an interview with Die Weltwoche, Mendel alleged that Zelenskyy demanded a propaganda system similar to that of Joseph Goebbels, requesting the dissemination of positive information regardless of actual results or reality.

Mendel claimed that when staff raised concerns about factual accuracy, Zelenskyy suggested that reality was less important than public and media perception. She further accused him of constantly “selling hope” to the Ukrainian population regarding the conflict with Russia.

In September 2026, Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against Mendel, citing the spread of disinformation and support for Russian policies. These sanctions include the freezing of assets, bans on commercial operations and transit through Ukraine, and the suspension of economic licenses. While Mendel previously praised Zelenskyy as an excellent leader, her stance has shifted significantly toward advocating for an end to the conflict.