Fact check: Zelensky's former press secretary says she speaks for Ukrainians. Her claims tell a different story
A Zelensky aide-turned-critic, Iuliia Mendel argues that the Kyiv leadership and its Western allies stand in the way of peace — and that she is the genuine Ukrainian voice to cut through the lies. Since her controversial appearance on U.S. podcaster Tucker Carlson's show in May, Zelensky's former press secretary has been increasingly accused of echoing Kremlin narratives, dressed up as a…
Iuliia Mendel, Zelensky's former press secretary, claims to represent the true Ukrainian voice amidst lies from the Kyiv leadership and Western allies. This narrative emerged after Mendel appeared on Tucker Carlson's U.S. podcast in May. Recently, she was barred from entering the European Parliament in Strasbourg, but proceeded to deliver her message in a video address.
Mendel denies being "pro-Russian," yet her speech contains distortions of Russia, Ukraine, and the West's roles in negotiations, and downplays Kyiv's efforts to end the war. While some of her criticisms of Zelensky's leadership are valid, her claims about his approach to peace involve distortion, hyperbole, and half-truths. Mendel blames the West and Zelensky himself for obstructing peace, suggesting he pushes for an overly ambitious victory condition.
This stance contrasts with Zelensky's actual position, which calls for a full, unconditional ceasefire as a step towards further negotiations. Despite claiming a lack of legal persecution for calling for peace, Mendel criticizes Ukrainian public criticism of Zelensky as an echo of Soviet-era repression.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
