Ukraine's Zelenskiy sanctions former press secretary, accuses her of spreading Russian propaganda

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday imposed 10-year sanctions on his former press secretary Yuliia Mendel and nine others, accusing them of spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Moscow's aggressive policy towards Ukraine.The sanctions, announced in a presidential decree, include asset freezes and restrictions on trade, according to the document."Sunday's order "imposes restrictions on 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals who spread ​disinformation and ​Russian propaganda and support ⁠Russia’s aggressive policy toward Ukraine. Yuliia Mendel is among those sanctioned," the presidency said in a statement.Mendel, who served as Zelenskiy's press secretary from 2019 to 2021, before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said she had expected the sanctions.She argued that imposing sanctions on Ukrainian citizens was unconstitutional, but did not directly address the accusations against her."Sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional, as are many of Zelenskiy's other decisions," she added. "Volodymyr Zelenskiy is imposing them on anyone who advocates for peace in Ukraine."The sanctions mark an unusual step against a former member of Zelenskiy's staff. Ukraine has previously used sanctions against political figures, including former president and opposition politician Petro Poroshenko in 2025.Mendel has given interviews criticising Zelenskiy's record since last year, when several members of the president's inner circle became embroiled in corruption scandals. The suspects have denied charges that have not been tested in court.Mendel was Zelenskiy's first press secretary after he became president and held the position until 2021.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.