Zelensky's sanctioned former press secretary barred from entering European Parliament
"On the day of my speech, I was barred from entering the European Parliament. I directly attribute this to Zelensky's sanctions," Former press secretary Iulia Mendel said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky recently sanctioned his former press secretary, Iulia Mendel, preventing her from entering the European Parliament to deliver a speech on September 16, according to Mendel herself. Mendel attributed this to Zelensky's sanctions, but she still proceeded to give her speech virtually. Zelensky imposed these sanctions against Mendel, a vocal critic of his who had echoed Russian propaganda, on September 13.
The sanctions stripped her of state awards, barred her from moving capital out of Ukraine, and froze her assets. Mendel denounced the sanctions, calling them unconstitutional and questioning their impact on her stance. She had previously spoken on Tucker Carlson's show in May, criticizing Zelensky as a dictator and the greatest obstacle to peace in Ukraine.
Mendel had also been invited to speak at a sideline event in Germany, organized by the far-right Alternative for Germany party, on September 16, which she accepted despite criticism for aligning with a party that opposes military aid to Ukraine while Russia is waging the war.
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