Ex-Zelenskyy spokeswoman Mendel calls sanctions against her unconstitutional

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions against Yuliia Mendel, who formerly served as his press secretary, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

Mendel, who once represented the president's office to the media, responded publicly to the decision, describing sanctions imposed on Ukrainian citizens as unconstitutional. Her statement suggests she views the application of such measures against the country's own citizens as a violation of Ukraine's constitution.

Criticism of centralized power

In her reaction, the former spokeswoman also stated that Ukraine does not need what she characterized as Zelenskyy's dictatorship — a remark reflected in the headline of the report. The comment signals sharp criticism directed at the president over the decision to sanction someone who was once part of his own team.

The source report does not provide further detail on the specific content of the sanctions, the stated grounds for imposing them, or when they took effect. It is also unclear whether Zelenskyy's office or other officials have responded to Mendel's remarks or to the sanctions decision itself.

Mendel was previously known as one of the public faces of Zelenskyy's team, representing the president's positions in the media. Her shift from a government-aligned spokesperson to an outspoken critic — now herself a target of sanctions — highlights tension between some of Zelenskyy's former close associates and his current administration.

The case adds a new episode to the broader debate over how Ukraine's leadership uses sanctions during wartime, and where the line falls between national security considerations and citizens' constitutional rights.