Key facts
- President Zelensky imposed sanctions on former press secretary Iuliia Mendel on Sept. 13.
- Mendel is accused of spreading Russian propaganda and criticizing Zelensky.
- Mendel stated the sanctions are unconstitutional and used against those advocating for peace.
- Mendel anticipated the sanctions and said her position would not change.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions on his former press secretary, Iuliia Mendel, on Sunday, accusing her and nine others of spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Russia's aggressive policy toward Ukraine. Mendel, who worked with Zelensky from 2019 to 2021, responded on Facebook that imposing sanctions on Ukrainian citizens is unconstitutional. She did not comment on the specific accusations but stated that Zelensky imposes sanctions on anyone who advocates for peace in Ukraine. Mendel has given interviews criticizing Zelensky's record since last year, when members of the president's inner circle became embroiled in corruption scandals. The sanctions, announced in a decree, will last for 10 years and include asset freezes and trade restrictions. The presidency stated that Mendel is among the 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals sanctioned for spreading disinformation and Russian propaganda.