Ukraine's Zelenskiy imposes sanctions on former press secretary
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a visit to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada September 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot
KYIV, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy imposed sanctions on a former press secretary on Sunday, accusing her and nine others of spreading Russian propaganda and of supporting Russia's aggressive policy toward Ukraine.
Yuliia Mendel — who worked with Zelenskiy from 2019 to 2021, before Russia's invasion — responded with a message on Facebook saying it was unconstitutional to impose sanctions on Ukrainian citizens. She did not comment on the specific accusations.
Mendel has given interviews criticising Zelenskiy's record since last year, when a number of members of the president's inner circle became embroiled in corruption scandals. The suspects have denied the charges that have not been tested in court.
The sanctions — announced by Zelenskiy in a decree — would last for 10 years and included asset freezes and restrictions on trade, the document read.
They were an unusual measure to use against a former member of staff, though they have been used against political figures.
In 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on former president and opposition politician Petro Poroshenko, including an asset freeze and a ban on withdrawing capital from the country, for what the domestic spy agency said were "national security" reasons.
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, Zelenskiy's first press secretary after he became president, wrote on Facebook that she had been expecting the move.
"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."
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
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